In a message dated 12/20/98 10:17:31 PM Central Standard Time,
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<< There is no concern about passing CMV to the babies.  Remember, CMV causes
 problems only for the fetus during the first trimester.  There is some
 recent evidence from Germany that some very premature babies (under 28 weeks
 gestation) who became infected (while they were very small) became
 symptomatic. >>

CMV can be transmitted postnatally by ingestion of CMV-positive BM.
Infection in preterm infants resulting from transfusion with CMV-seropositive
blood has been associated with interstitial pneumonia.
Infection from mother's virus-positive BM does not cause clinical disease,
most likely because of presence of passively transmitted maternal antibody;
however, symptomatic disease can occur if seronegative infant is fed CMV-
positive milk from milk banks.
Also beware that CMV can cause conjugated hyperbilirubinemia (jaundice) due to
liver damage.
Andrew MD
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