Hydrocephalus due to prenatal infection with the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus

The results are presented of serological examinations in a total of 4235 subjects including blood donors (341 persons), pregnant women (1784), newborns (833), patients with malignant tumours (248), patients with influenza-like diseases (548), patients with abacterial meningitis (295), infants under one year with hydrocephalus (40), infants under two years with other nervous system diseases (110), mothers of seropositive children with hydrocephalus (12) and mothers of seronegative children with hydrocephalus (24). The investigations revealed 16 cases of serologically confirmed prenatal lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection. Immunofluorescent antibody to this virus was detected in the children in most cases at high titers and in their mothers at moderate and low titers. In 14 children hydrocephalus was manifest, one child was suffering from infantile cerebral palsy, and one child from congenital right side blepharoptosis. Foci of chorioretinal degeneration were found in 14 patients. During pregnancy six mothers had an influenza-like illness; the other ten mothers denied any disease associated with fever.