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Use of In vivo Imaging to Monitor the Progression of Experimental Mouse Cytomegalovirus Infection in Neonates
Published on: July 6, 2013
Autistic symptoms in a child with congenital cytomegalovirus infection
Insights
Cytomegalovirus infection in utero may be linked to later-onset autistic symptoms. Physicians should consider cytomegalovirus when diagnosing autism spectrum disorder in infants to determine potential correlations.
Area of Science:
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
- Infectious diseases
Background:
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus that can be transmitted congenitally.
- Congenital CMV infection is a known cause of various neurodevelopmental abnormalities.
Observation:
- This report details a case of intrauterine cytomegalovirus infection.
- Autistic symptoms in the affected child emerged after six months of age.
Findings:
- A potential correlation between intrauterine cytomegalovirus infection and the subsequent development of autistic symptoms is suggested.
- The timing of symptom onset (after 6 months) is noted.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider cytomegalovirus in the differential diagnosis for infants presenting with autistic symptoms.
- Further research is warranted to establish or refute a causal link between congenital CMV and autism spectrum disorder.
Abstract:
A case of intrauterine cytomegalovirus infection with onset of autistic symptoms apparently after 6 months of age is reported. Physicians who find autistic symptoms in very young children might include cytomegalovirus in their differential to document the presence or absence of a correlation.
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