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Postnatal human cytomegalovirus infection in preterm infants has long-term neuropsychological sequelae
Katharina F Brecht1, Rangmar Goelz2, Andrea Bevot1
1Department of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, University Children's Hospital, Tübingen, Germany.
Insights
Early postnatal human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection may negatively impact cognitive development in very preterm adolescents. This finding suggests a need for preventative strategies to protect neurodevelopment in this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Very preterm birth is associated with long-term risks for neuropsychological impairments.
- Early postnatal infections can potentially exacerbate neurodevelopmental challenges in vulnerable neonates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term effects of early postnatal human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection on neuropsychological outcomes in adolescents born very prematurely.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of adolescents born very preterm (n=42) and typically developing, term-born controls (n=24) were assessed.
- Neuropsychological evaluation included intelligence (IQ) and visual-perceptual abilities using standardized tests.
- Participants were categorized based on the presence or absence of early postnatal CMV infection.
Main Results:
- Adolescents born very preterm demonstrated significantly lower IQ and visuoperceptive scores compared to term-born controls.
- Very preterm adolescents with early postnatal CMV infection exhibited significantly lower overall cognitive abilities than those without the infection.
- No significant difference in visuoperceptive abilities was observed between preterm adolescents with and without early postnatal CMV infection.
Conclusions:
- Early postnatal CMV infection appears to have adverse effects on overall cognitive functions in adolescents born very preterm.
- These findings highlight the potential long-term neurodevelopmental impact of CMV in this population.
- The results underscore the importance of considering preventive measures against early postnatal CMV infection in very preterm infants.
Objective:
To evaluate whether an early postnatal infection poses a long-term risk for neuropsychological impairment to neonates born very prematurely.
Study Design:
Adolescents born very preterm (n = 42, 11.6-16.2 years, mean = 13.9; 15 girls; 19 with and 23 without an early postnatal human cytomegalovirus [CMV] infection) and typically developing, term born controls (n = 24, 11.3-16.6 years, mean = 13.6; 12 girls) were neuropsychologically assessed with the German version of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale and the Developmental Test for Visual Perception.
Results:
As expected, the full cohort of adolescents born preterm had significantly lower scores than term born controls on IQ (preterm: mean [SD] = 98.43 [14.83], control: 110.00 [8.10], P = .015) and on visuoperceptive abilities (95.64 [12.87] vs 106.24 [9.95], P = .016). Furthermore, adolescents born preterm with early postnatal CMV infection scored significantly lower than those without this infection regarding overall cognitive abilities (92.67 [14.71] vs 102.75 [13.67], P = .030), but not visuoperceptive abilities (91.22 [10.88] vs 98.96 [13.45], P > .05).
Conclusions:
In our small but well-characterized group, our results provide evidence for adverse effects of early postnatal CMV infection on overall cognitive functions in adolescents born preterm. If confirmed, these results support the implementation of preventive measures.
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