2024, Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part B

Objective: To evaluate the frequency & clinical characteristics of Congenital Cytomegalovirus infection in low birth weight (LBW) newborns.

Methodology: This prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Neonatology, BSMMU over a one and half years from March 2022 to August 2023. Urine was collected within three weeks of birth from the admitted low birth weight (LBW) newborn and was sent for urinary CMV DNA analysis. Newborn with Positive urinary CMV DNA was labeled as CMV infected. All LBW newborns were followed up during the hospital stay for any features of congenital CMV infection. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 25.

Results: Among 58 LBW newborns, 3 (5.2%) were found to have congenital CMV infection (cCMV). Hepatomegaly (100%) & direct hyperbilirubinemia (100%) were the most common clinical characteristics followed by hepatosplenomegaly (66.7%), microcephaly (66.7%), petechiae/purpura (66.7%) & thrombocytopenia (66.7%). Hearing impairment was found significantly higher on hearing screening in CMV infected compared with CMV non-infected newborns (66.7% vs 9.4%, p= 0.047). No abnormality was found in ophthalmological evaluation.

Conclusion: Frequency of CMV infection in LBW newborns is 5.2% in this study. Mostly detected clinical characteristics are hepatomegaly and direct hyperbilirubinemia. There is association of hearing impairment with CMV infection. There is no effect of CMV infection on vision in this study.