Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2004 Apr;23(4):322-7. Related Articles, Links


Postnatally acquired cytomegalovirus infection via breast milk: effects on
hearing and development in preterm infants.

Vollmer B, Seibold-Weiger K, Schmitz-Salue C, Hamprecht K, Goelz R,
Krageloh-Mann I, Speer CP.

Department of Pediatric Neurology, Children's Hospital, University of
Tubingen, Tubingen, Germany. [log in to unmask]

BACKGROUND: In preterm infants there is a high risk of transmission of
cytomegalovirus (CMV) via breast milk from seropositive mothers with reactivation of
the virus during lactation. There is little information about the long term
sequel of early postnatally acquired CMV infection in pre-term infants. This
study aimed to investigate whether there was an increased frequency of impaired
neurodevelopmental outcome and sensorineural hearing loss in preterm infants
with postnatally acquired CMV infection through transmission by CMV-positive
breast milk. METHODS: Twenty-two preterm infants [median birth weight, 1020 g
(range, 600 to 1870 g); median gestational age, 27.6 weeks (range, 23.6 to 32
weeks] with early postnatally acquired CMV infection by breast-feeding (onset of
viruria between Days 23 and 190 postnatally) were compared with 22
CMV-negative preterm infants individually matched for gestational age, birth weight,
gender, intracranial hemorrhage and duration of ventilation. At 2 to 4.5 years of
age, follow-up assessments were conducted consisting of neurologic
examination, neurodevelopmental assessment and detailed audiologic tests. RESULTS: None
of the children had sensorineural hearing loss. There was no difference
between the groups with regard to neurologic, speech and language or motor
development. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that early postnatally
acquired CMV infection via CMV-positive breast milk does not have a negative effect
on neurodevelopment and hearing in this group of patients. Because we studied
a small number of infants, further follow-up studies are warranted in preterm
infants with early postnatally acquired CMV infection.

PMID: 15071286 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Nancy
Nancy E. Wight MD, IBCLC, FAAP, FABM
Neonatologist
Children's Hospital and Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women
Medical Director, Sharp HealthCare Lactation Services
San Diego, CA
[log in to unmask]

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