Cytomegalovirus Awareness Month – Important Tips to Protect Your Baby

June has been designated as National Congenital cytomegalovirus awareness month in the United States with the noble intention of raising public awareness regarding this condition which afflicts more children as compared other recognized disorders & infections like FAS, cleft spine, Down’s syndrome & Pediatric AIDS HIV. The CDC has pointed out that congenital cytomegalovirus infection is the commonest viral infection in the U.S. with one from 150 kids born with it. Annually, 30000 babies delivered have congenital CMV causal to four hundred mortalities & leaves eight thousand children with lasting disablements like going deaf, blind, disablements both mentally & physically, seizure attacks & cerebral palsy. In the U.S., around fifty to sixty percent of females are at risk of developing CMV infection during gestational period. Preventing & treating CMV infection during gestational period is crucial for preventing birth anomalies & developmentally occurring disablements.

Taking into consideration the wide-ranging harm it causes to little lives for their entire lifetime, it becomes increasingly crucial to become aware about congenital cytomegalovirus infection so its devastating effects on little babies could be averted.

What is congenital cytomegalovirus infection?

Congenital cytomegalovirus is an assemblage of symptoms which arises when a baby contracts the infection with the cytomegalovirus or CMV while in-utero. Congenital CMV arises when an infection-ridden mom is passing on the virus to her unborn child via her placenta tissue.

Symptoms

The ill mom might be asymptomatic hence she might not be aware of having the infection. Even majority of the congenitally afflicted kids are asymptomatic, merely around one from ten babies with congenital CMV would be exhibiting the following signs & symptoms:

• Retinal inflammation.
• Underweight at birth.
• Smallish head.
• Jaundice.
• Rash when born, also called as petechiae.
• Liver & spleen enlargement.
• Seizure attacks.
• Mineral depositions in the brains.

Diagnosis & Tests

At the time of examination, the doctor might spot:

• Irregular breathing sounds indicative of pneumonia.
• Spleen & Liver enlargement.
• Retarded Psychomotor.

Testing done comprise of:

• CAT scanning or ultrasounds done of the cranium.
• Complete blood count.
• Chest X-ray.
• TORCH screen.
• Liver functioning testing Bilirubin level & blood testing.
• Fundoscopy.
• Urine culture to check for viral presence in the initial fortnight or month of life.
• Antibody titer for baby & mom.

Therapy

There isn’t any particular therapy for this condition & physiotherapy & suitable education for kids with psychomotor impairment & focusing on particular issues. Investigative therapy using ganciclovir medicine might lessen auditory failure in the child’s future.

Prognosis

Nearly ninety percent of babies who are symptomatic when born would be having neurologically-related abnormalities in future. Merely around five to ten percent of asymptomatic babies would be having such issues.

Likely Complications

• Going deaf.
• Psychomotor impairment.

When to seek medical assistance

Immediately get your infant examined in case he/ she wasn’t evaluated by a doctor soon following delivery & a smallish-head is suspected or one notices other signs of congenital CMV.

In case your infant is having congenital CMV, it is crucial to be following the healthcare expert’s advice for well-infant exams. In this manner, any developmental issues could be spotted sooner & prompt treatment can be offered.

Preventative Measures

CMV is omnipresent & the United States CDC has recommended the below mentioned prevention approaches to thwart CMV from spreading.

• Hand-washing using soaps & water subsequent to have touched diaper or salivary secretion.
• Do not kiss kids under six on the lips or cheeks.
• Avoid sharing foods, beverages or eating vessels with younger kids.
• Expectant mothers who work in day cares must be working with children over 2.5 years of age.

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