Cytomegalovirus infections in newborn infants

A study of the frequency of congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections and the associated clinical findings included 545 children. Urine specimens were obtained within the first 24 hours of life. Cultures of these specimens revealed that 3 infants were excreting CMV. None of the 3 had classical cytomegalic inclusion disease; however, each had transient abnormalities in the first year of life. In 2 cases, IgM levels were elevated. No neutralizing antibody was found in 2 of the cord sera. All patients later showed neutralizing antibody. This reaction was highly specific with a low passage isolate from one of the patients. CF antibody response was variable. Virus excretion persisted in the children throughout observation. There were familial infections but no evidence of disease.