[Cerebrovascular hemorrhage associated with acquired cytomegalovirus infection in an infant]
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Updated: Apr 19, 2026

Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain
Published on: July 24, 2016
Nelson Muñoz1, Hernando Pinzón1, Hugo Vizcaíno2
1Hospital Infantil Napoleón Franco Pareja, Cartagena, Colombia.
Insights
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, a common cause of perinatal and acquired viral illness, can present with diverse symptoms. This case highlights acquired CMV presenting with cerebral hemorrhage, successfully treated with ganciclovir.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a leading cause of perinatal infections and a significant factor in acquired viral infections.
- Understanding the clinical spectrum of CMV is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.
- Prompt treatment of congenital or acquired CMV can prevent severe complications.
Observation:
- A case report detailing an infant with acquired CMV infection is presented.
- The infant exhibited an unusual clinical manifestation of cerebral hemorrhage.
- Hematological compromise, specifically marked thrombocytopenia, was a key feature.
Findings:
- Acquired CMV infection in children often presents with hematological abnormalities, including severe thrombocytopenia.
- Cerebral hemorrhage is a rare but possible complication of acquired CMV.
- Ganciclovir treatment led to a favorable clinical outcome in the reported case.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of recognizing the broad clinical spectrum of CMV, including rare presentations like cerebral hemorrhage.
- Early identification and treatment of acquired CMV can mitigate potential sequelae.
- While many acquired CMV infections are self-limiting, severe cases necessitate prompt medical intervention.
Abstract:
Cytomegalovirus is the most frequent causative agent of perinatal infection and a major cause of acquired viral infections. This case report aims to show the broad clinical spectrum of the presentation of cytomegalovirus infection. The correct classification of congenital or acquired infection and its prompt treatment can prevent complications and sequelae in severe cases. We report the case of an infant with acquired cytomegalovirus infection, which presented an unusual feature of cerebral hemorrhage. The patient was treated with ganciclovir, with a favorable evolution of the clinical symptoms. Cytomegalovirus infection is common in children, both in its congenital and acquired forms. Acquired infection, as portrayed in this case, is mainly characterized by hematological compromise given by the marked thrombocytopenia, which may rarely result in cases of bleeding in the central nervous system. In this patient, no important clinical implications occurred. In addition, most of the acquired infections are self-limited and require no treatment.
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