Prevalence and determinants of cytomegalovirus infection in pre-school children.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is to measure the seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in 3.5-year-old children, and identify the determinants of seropositivity.


METHODS
A total of 1714 children were enrolled at birth. Approximately half were small for gestational age and half were appropriate for gestational age. Information on the children was collected at birth, 1 year and 3.5 years. At 3.5 years blood was collected and tested for CMV-specific immunoglobulin by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 530 children.


RESULTS
The weighted seroprevalence of CMV was 32.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 27.4-38.1%). The seroprevalence of CMV varied markedly by ethnicity (European: 26.5% (95% CI 20.9-32.2%); Maori: 68.0% (44.0-92.0%); Pacific: 74.5% (56.3-92.6%); Indian: 50.0% (20.2-79.8%); Chinese: 47.2% (10.8-83.5%); Other: 21.9% (0.0-52.7%); P < 0.001). Socio-economic factors, number of siblings, day care centres attendance, maternal smoking, breastfeeding and other factors examined were not related to CMV seropositivity.


CONCLUSIONS
The seroprevalence of CMV in New Zealand pre-school children is similar to that reported from other developed countries. The finding of marked ethnic differences is unexplained by socio-economic factors, or other factors that were examined.
O'Brien
Timothy P
TP
Departments of Paediatrics, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand.
Thompson
John M D
JM
Black
Peter N
PN
Becroft
David M  O
DM
Clark
Phillipa M
PM
Robinson
Elizabeth
E
Wild
Christopher
C
Mitchell
Edwin A
EA
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies