[Epidemiological aspects of cytomegalovirus infection in babies aged under one]

Zhurnal Mikrobiologii, Epidemiologii I Immunobiologii
|November 24, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection screening in infants revealed a significant increase in infection rates among newborns. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for improving outcomes and reducing neonatal mortality.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common viral infection that can cause significant morbidity and mortality in infants.
  • Understanding the epidemiology and risk factors of CMV infection in young children is essential for effective prevention and management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare screening data of infants under one year for cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection with mortality rates over a 10-year period.
  • To investigate the clinical features of CMV infection in newborns and identify high-risk factors.

Main Methods:

  • Serological screening using enzyme immunoassay, immunofluorescence, and polymerase chain reaction.
  • Analysis of data from 1,910 randomly selected and 2,658 target-selected infants aged 0-12 months.
  • Categorization of infants into four age groups: newborns, 1-3 months, 4-6 months, and 7-12 months.

Main Results:

  • A 2.1-fold increase in CMV infection rate was observed among randomly selected newborns over the 10-year study period.
  • A positive correlation was established between the CMV infection rate in newborns and neonatal mortality rate.
  • High-risk factors for CMV infection and increased incidence of neurological pathology were identified in infants aged 4-6 months.

Conclusions:

  • Early diagnosis, differentiation of mixed infections, and prompt, adequate therapy are critical for improving outcomes in infants with CMV infection.
  • An algorithm for epidemiological surveillance and a regional prophylaxis program were developed based on the study findings.

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