The outcome in children with congenital cytomegalovirus infection. A longitudinal follow-up study
S. Saigal, O. Lunyk, R. P. Larke and M. A. Chernesky
Infants with congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection were identified
through urine cultures of 15,212 consecutive neonates and studied
prospectively to determine whether their neurodevelopmental and audiologic
status was different from that of matched uninfected control subjects. Of
64 children with congenital CMV infection, three died, 11 could not be
located for follow-up, one had quadriplegic cerebral palsy, and seven had
varying degrees of sensorineural hearing loss. All matched control subjects
were normal neurologically, and none of them had sensorineural hearing
impairment. The Stanford-Binet test revealed scores within the normal
range, at 3 and 5 years of age, for both children with CMV infection and
matched control subjects, as did the preschool assessment (Wide Range
Achievement Test) in children older than 5 years. However, in children with
CMV infection, the home environment was less stimulating, discipline and
punishment were more readily implemented, and behavioral problems were
significantly greater than in the matched control subjects.
