[Prenatal screening of cytomegalovirus in France: an increasing frequency practices of screening from 2000 to 2003 despite no recommendation in favor].
BACKGROUND
Screening cytomegalovirus infection in pregnant women is still controversial in 2004 in France. In this context, we evaluated the interest of such a screening in 2004 in France. This paper was designed to describe trends in CMV prenatal screening practices in 2000-2003 in France.


METHODS
This retrospective study, describes the prescription of CMV screening in HIV-negative pregnant women giving birth in the private care sector, according to their occupational category and geographical area. Data were provided by the "Caisse d'Assurance-maladie des Travailleurs Indépendants" (independent workers health insurance fund).


RESULTS
The study included 34.347 women, delivering in 2001-2004 (beginning of pregnancy in 2000-2003). The number of pregnant women screened for CMV increased significantly between 2000 (5.8%, 301/5.177), 2001 (11.1%, 1.130/10.139) and 2002 (22.1%, 2.701/12.223), (p<0.001), then was stable in 2003 (22.0%, 1.496/6.808). The percentage of women screened for CMV, at least once during pregnancy, doubled between 2001 and 2002 (p<0.001) in each occupational category and geographical area. It was significantly different between occupational categories (p<0.01), with a higher percentage of women in the self-employed and commercial agent occupational categories than in the craftsman category. There was also a significant difference between geographical areas (p<0.001), with a higher rate in Paris.


CONCLUSIONS
This study providing baseline information on CMV practices showed: 1- a significant increase in the frequency of CMV screening among pregnant women over the period 2000-2002 with a stabilization in 2003; 2- a similar trend observed in each occupation category and geographical area but with a markedly higher frequency of screening practices in the Paris area and among self-employed women. A study measuring the effect of the 2004 ANAES recommendation suggesting not to screen for CMV during pregnancy should be conducted.
Moty-Monnereau
C
C
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bordeaux, Bordeaux. c.motymonnereau@has-sante.fr
Leroy
V
V
Deligne
J
J
Latapy
C
C
Rumeau-Pichon
C
C
Blum-Boisgard
C
C
Flori
Y-A
YA
Salamon
R
R
D000328:Adult; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies