Cytomegalovirus Congenital Infection. Do We Know What We Do Not Know?

Date of submission: 11-11-2018 | Date of acceptance: 03-03-2019 | Published: 12-11-2019

Abstract

Congenital cytomegalovirus infection is the most frequent vertical infection in developed countries and one of the main causes of sensorineural hearing loss and neurodevelopment delay. Despite its high incidence, this infection remains underdiagnosed, with untreated cases and significant risk of sequelae. In this area, randomized clinical trials are scarce, and therapeutic guidelines with ganciclovir or valganciclovir are based on expert consensus. Current knowledge about the high genetic variability of cytomegalovirus, on the other hand, makes it difficult to establish preventive measures and strategies to approach neonatal infection. From three clinical cases of variable severity, the authors discuss dilemmas and challenges of congenital cytomegalovirus infection.