Related Experiment Videos
Neonatal cytomegalovirus infections due to blood
Insights
Very low birthweight infants are at high risk for transfusion-associated cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections. Using CMV seronegative blood products can prevent these infections, reducing infant morbidity and mortality.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Hematology
Background:
- Infants with very low birthweights (<1250g) possess immature immune and hematopoietic systems, increasing infection susceptibility.
- These vulnerable infants often require frequent blood transfusions, further elevating their risk.
- Transfusion-associated cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections occur in approximately 30% of these infants lacking passive antibody protection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the significant morbidity and mortality associated with transfusion-associated CMV infections in very low birthweight infants.
- To identify seropositive blood donors as the source of postnatal CMV transmission.
- To emphasize the preventative strategies for transfusion-associated CMV infections.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on transfusion-associated CMV infections in neonates.
- Analysis of infection rates in very low birthweight infants lacking anti-CMV antibodies.
- Evaluation of preventative measures including donor selection and blood processing.
Main Results:
- Very low birthweight infants lacking passively acquired CMV antibodies acquire transfusion-associated CMV infections at a high rate (~30%).
- These infections contribute to substantial infant morbidity and mortality.
- Seropositive blood donors are the primary source of postnatal CMV transmission.
Conclusions:
- Transfusion-associated CMV infections pose a serious threat to very low birthweight infants.
- Preventing CMV transmission through appropriate blood donor selection and processing is crucial.
- Current evidence suggests all infants receiving multiple transfusions should receive CMV seronegative blood products.
Abstract:
Infants with very low birthweights (less than 1250g) are immunocompromised and have immature hematopoietic systems. They require frequent blood transfusions and have an increased susceptibility to infection. These very low birthweight infants who lack passively acquired antibody against CMV, acquire transfusion-associated CMV infections with a frequency of approximately 30%. These infections are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The source of these postnatally acquired CMV infections are seropositive blood donors. These infections can be prevented by appropriate donor selection and/or blood processing. Recent but limited data suggests that all infants (regardless of birthweight or the presence of antibody against CMV) should receive CMV seronegative blood products if they are likely to receive multiple transfusions from multiple donors.