Susan:  PLEASE have this doc and mom consider Dr. Larry Gartner's
perspective on CMV...At the Viral Transmission session of the  LLLI
conference this July in Wash, DC Dr. Gartner stated that "CMV is readily
transmitted in breastmilk; HOWEVER, breastfeeding is not contraindicated.
In fact, the only time this is a problem is when the CMV is a primary
infection that occurs during pregnancy which may cause deformities (similar
to with German Measles).  So, there is actually an advantage of the CMV
transmission in small doses through the breastmilk because passive immunity
and minimally symptomatic infection occurs in the babies such that they do
not grow into adults without this immunity."  Gartner believes that this is
nature's way of protecting the population from having adult pregnant women
exposed.

Minamishima, I Ueda, K, Minematsu T e al. "Role of breastmilk in
acquisition of cytomegalovirus infection."  Microbiol Immuno 1994; 38:
549-552.

: )Chris Hafner-Eaton, PhD, MPH, CHES, IBCLC  email: [log in to unmask]   : )
: )HSR & Health Educational Consultant        voice/fax: 541 753 7340    : )
: )LLLLLLLLLLLLL**CHANGE THE WORLD, NURTURE A CHILD!**LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL : )