After Pregnancy Published August 26, 2012 Replaces the legacy article cmv

CMV Infections

CMV Infections

Content

According to the HealthDay News, CMV risk can be significantly reduced when a drug called hyperimmune globin is used as it can keep the virus from being passed onto an unborn baby. CMV can be a dangerous virus for unborn babies and infants but is not usually dangerous to adults and children. By the age of 30, according to the March of Dimes, about half of the US population have contracted the virus. Hyperimmune globin gives a pregnant mother’s immune system a boost to fight the virus.

Approximately one percent of all babies are born with CMV infection which can cause serious neurological problems including death. If a woman is infected during pregnancy, she has a 40% chance of passing the virus on to her newborn. There is currently no effective treatment of CMV.

The study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine and according to Dr. Patrick Duff (co-author of the study), more studies need to be done to confirm these findings.

Educational information only. This guide does not provide medical advice and is not a substitute for care from a qualified provider.