Cerebellar hypoplasia in an infant with congenital cytomegalovirus infection.

Cerebellar hypoplasia is a prominent feature of fetal brain pathology as produced in experimental animal models with various congenital viral infections.1-3 We have recently studied an infant with classical congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) syndrome. The pathologic changes noted in the brain of micropolygyria, periventricular calcifications, and chronic inflammation have long been regarded as the hallmarks of chronic CMV infection of the fetal brain.4,5 However, the presence of striking cerebellar hypoplasia, reminiscent of some viral infections of the central nervous system described in the experimental animal models, has prompted this short communication. CASE REPORT B.B.P. was born to a 22-year-old mother, gravida 2 para 1, after an uncomplicated pregnancy.