A serologic strategy for detecting neonates at risk for congenital cytomegalovirus infection

To evaluate the feasibility of a serologic screening program in pregnant women to detect neonates at risk for a congenital cytomegalovirus infection.

Unselected mother-infant pairs (n = 7140) were studied. In the mother, serologic screening consisted of the testing for cytomegalovirus antibodies at the first prenatal visit and at birth. In the neonate, cytomegalovirus urine culture was performed to diagnose congenital infection.

Serologic screening showed evidence of past infection in 3850 women (53.9%); 192 (2.7%) women had both immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgM antibodies when first tested during pregnancy. Seroconversion was detected in 44 seronegative women (1.4%). Forty-four congenital infections were diagnosed (0.62%): 8 in women with past infections, 22 in women who seroconverted, and 14 in women who initially had positive IgM antibodies.

Screening at the first prenatal visit and at birth defines two major risk groups for congenital cytomegalovirus infection: women with seroconversion during pregnancy and women with IgM antibodies in their first prenatal serum sample (0.6% and 2.7%, respectively, of the pregnant population). In these selected babies (3.3% of the study group), cytomegalovirus urine culture should be performed. This type of screening allows the detection of 82% of all congenital cytomegalovirus infections.