Cytomegalovirus seroprevalence and childhood sources of infection: A population-based study among pre-adolescents in the United States.
BACKGROUND
Among pre-adolescents, the importance of different sources of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is unclear.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the importance of several CMV sources among pre-adolescent children.


METHODS
We used data from a United States population-based sample conducted from 1988 to 1994: 4-10-year-old participants (n=3386) of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We tested available sera for CMV-specific-IgG and assessed CMV prevalence differences by surrogates for exposure to childhood CMV sources (maternal CMV serostatus, breast-feeding, older sibling CMV serostatus, and child care center attendance).


RESULTS
CMV infection was more prevalent (70%) among Mexican American children with foreign-born householders than among children with native-born householders (31% non-Hispanic White, 39% non-Hispanic Black, and 37% Mexican American children). Child's serostatus was associated with their mother's (prevalence difference range (PDR)=33-40%) and older sibling's serostatus (PDR=39-50%). Breast-feeding was associated with CMV in some racial/ethnic and householder groups (PDR=-5.1% to 22.7%). There was little difference in CMV seroprevalence by child care center attendance (PDR=-6.5% to -0.4%).


CONCLUSIONS
This study expands understanding of CMV by identifying the importance of householder nativity and demonstrating the importance of family transmission among the general population of pre-adolescents.
Staras
Stephanie A S
SA
University of Florida, Department of Epidemiology and Health Policy, Gainesville, FL 32610, U S. sas@ehpr.ufl.edu
Flanders
W Dana
WD
Dollard
Sheila C
SC
Pass
Robert F
RF
McGowan
John E
JE
Cannon
Michael J
MJ
D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005006:Ethnicity; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D007074:Immunoglobulin G