[Routine screening for CMV during pregnancy: practices assessment in Île-de-France]

Congenital infection with cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the leading cause of materno-fetal viral infection in industrialized countries. It covers up to 1% of neonates with risk of sequelae. The recommendations of the National agency for accreditation and evaluation in health from 2004 does not support routine screening for CMV during pregnancy. Some maternity hospitals still practice this screening and the purpose of this work is to present an overview of this practice in Île-de-France.

We present a descriptive cross-sectional survey among 99 maternity hospitals of Île-de-France between July 30, 2011 to January 15, 2012. Data were collected using a questionnaire in most cases during a telephone interview. Ninety-one questionnaires were collected. The primary endpoint was the achievement or otherwise of this screening.

Of the 91 maternity hospitals surveyed, 13 (14.3%) still were conducting this screening in 2012. This practice was a minority and unrelated to the status (public/private), obstetric-pediatric type or activity.

According to recent literature data, this diagnosis should be proposed only in case clinical or ultrasound signs. Screening could be included as part of research protocol for a better understanding of this pathology. It is not recommended in France and pending the development of an effective vaccine, informing pregnant women about preventive measures appear to be the most effective measure. This will involve a wide dissemination of recommendations to general practitioners in first line in support of women in early pregnancy.