When we are pregnant we usually take precautions to avoid infections that may affect the baby in gestation. Today we will talk about a virus from the herpes family that you may have heard about called congenital cytomegalovirus, which is transmitted through many of the body fluids.
Being a very frequent virus that causes no symptoms, or suffering from them, they are very similar to those of a mild flu, many people suffer from it without knowing it. But if the mother is infected during pregnancy, it can have serious consequences, so we will deepen what consequences does it have for the baby and how to avoid it.
What is congenital cytomegalovirus?
Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a virus known as Human herpesvirus 5 (HHV-5) that affects people of all ages, and although most people will have come into contact at some time in their life with the virus, only People with a weakened immune system are infected. Once it enters the body it stays there for a lifetime, but without consequences.
It is spread through droplets of saliva, perspiration, urine, blood, breast milk, mucus and sexual contact.
There are people who does not develop symptoms, while another suffers a picture with the characteristics of mononucleosis: swollen lymph nodes (especially in the neck), fatigue, fever, sore throat, lack of appetite, muscle aches and rash. Sometimes neck stiffness, inflammation of the spleen and liver, chest pain and irregular heart rate.
Being very frequent among young children, many are infected in nursery school. It is because of that it does not usually occur in the first pregnancy, but in the later ones, generally because it is the older brother who takes the virus home.
He contact with saliva or urine of young children It is a leading cause of cytomegalovirus infection in pregnant women.
Congenital cytomegalovirus, what diseases does it cause in the baby?
90 percent of babies who have been infected with the congenital cytomegalovirus virus during pregnancy never show symptoms or disabilities at birth, but a minority can be affected.
Some of the diseases that the congenital cytomegalovirus virus can cause in the newborn are:
- Jaundice: yellowish eyes and skin
- Purple spots on the skin
- Acne
- Liver problems
- Spleen Problems
- Lung problems
- Low birth weight
- Seizures
It can also cause permanent disabilities such as:
- Hearing loss
- Sight loss
- Mental disability
- Cerebral palsy
- Small head
- Lack of coordination
- Seizures
- And in the most serious cases, even death
How to prevent cytomegalovirus infection in pregnancy?
In blood tests performed on the pregnant woman, it is detected if she has been infected by cytomegalovirus in the past and therefore whether she is immunized or not. If you have not passed it, or you are not sure, you should take some care not to pass the virus to the baby in pregnancy.
Being young children who most often bring the virus home, the pregnant woman has to take some precautions such as:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after changing diapers or having come into contact with children's saliva or mucus.
- Do not share cutlery or glasses with young childrenOr kiss them on the mouth
- Do not put the baby's pacifier in your mouth, something parents usually do to clean it
- Keep toys that may have baby saliva clean, as well as surfaces with traces of urine or mucus.
- If your partner is infected with the virus, you should avoid sexual intercourse or use a barrier method such as a condom or female condom to reduce the risk of infection.
Congenital cytomegalovirus and breastfeeding
Finally, at spread the virus through breast milkWe will also talk about whether or not there is a risk for the baby who is breastfed.
Maternal cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. The mother who carries antibodies against CMV (without recent seroconversion) you can safely breastfeed your healthy term infant. It has not been shown that premature babies with birth weight less than 1,500 grams, children of a mother carrying CMV antibodies, have worse evolution if they are breastfed and, in most cases, the contagion occurs at the time of delivery and Not during breastfeeding.
In addition, it should be taken into account that the mother has antibodies against CMV, so that in general the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the risks. Freezing and pasteurization of breast milk significantly reduces the risk of transmission.
See also:
Bebesymas: Cytomegalovirus frequently affects during pregnancy Bebesymas: Intrauterine growth retardation
Photos | Torsten Mangner and Rahego on Flickr
