Fifteen-minute consultation: diagnosis and management of congenital CMV.
Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection can result in permanent neurological problems and is a potentially preventable cause of sensorineural hearing loss in the UK. There is an urgency to diagnose and assess cCMV as antiviral treatment and has only been shown to be effective if started in the first 4 weeks of life. A recent randomised controlled trial of 6 months of treatment using oral valganciclovir has shown modest benefit in preventing hearing deterioration and in improving some neurodevelopmental outcomes. Parents and clinicians need to make a timely and informed choice regarding antiviral treatment and ensure that relevant non-pharmaceutical interventions are considered. This paper brings together the current evidence regarding the diagnosis and treatment of cCMV, consensus from two paediatric infectious diseases centres and outlines research priorities.
Paediatric Infectious Diseases, St. Mary's Hospital, Imperial College NHS Healthcare Trust, London, UK.
Tejshri
T
Shah
Department of Paediatrics, Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK Paediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group, St George's University of London, London, UK.
Suzanne
S
Luck
Paediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group, St George's University of London, London, UK.
Mike
M
Sharland
Paediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group, St George's University of London, London, UK.
Seilesh
S
Kadambari
Paediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group, St George's University of London, London, UK.
Paul
P
Heath
Paediatric Infectious Diseases, St. Mary's Hospital, Imperial College NHS Healthcare Trust, London, UK.
Hermione
H
Lyall
D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000151:congenital* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn
Infectious Diseases; Paediatric Practice; Virology