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Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Use of In vivo Imaging to Monitor the Progression of Experimental Mouse Cytomegalovirus Infection in Neonates
Published on: July 6, 2013
Fatal acquired cytomegalovirus infection in a neonate with maternal antibody
C R de Cates1, N R Roberton, J R Walker
1Neonatal Unit, Rosie Maternity Hospital, Cambridge, U.K.
An extremely premature infant was born to a mother who had antibodies to cytomegalovirus (CMV). Despite having acquired transplacental antibodies, the baby developed an episode of presumed CMV hepatitis at the age of 10 weeks after blood transfusions from seropositive donors. Although the hepatitis settled, the baby developed chronic lung disease from which he died at the age of 5 months. Post mortem, widespread infection with CMV was demonstrated. The fact that serious CMV infection can develop in an infant of a seropositive mother further justifies the routine use of blood from CMV-negative donors for all transfusions given to infants of low birth weight.
An extremely premature infant was born to a mother who had antibodies to cytomegalovirus (CMV). Despite having acquired transplacental antibodies, the baby developed an episode of presumed CMV hepatitis at the age of 10 weeks after blood transfusions from seropositive donors. Although the hepatitis settled, the baby developed chronic lung disease from which he died at the age of 5 months. Post mortem, widespread infection with CMV was demonstrated. The fact that serious CMV infection can develop in an infant of a seropositive mother further justifies the routine use of blood from CMV-negative donors for all transfusions given to infants of low birth weight.
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