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Published on: July 6, 2013

Intellectual development in school-aged children with asymptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus infection

T J Conboy, R F Pass, S Stagno

    Pediatrics
    |June 1, 1986
    PubMed

    Insights

    Asymptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in children with normal hearing does not appear to increase the risk of mental impairment. These findings suggest that most children born with asymptomatic congenital CMV and normal hearing face no increased risk of intellectual deficits.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
    • Developmental Psychology
    • Neurodevelopmental Disorders

    Background:

    • Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection affects approximately 1% of newborns.
    • While symptomatic congenital CMV can cause severe developmental issues, most cases (90%) are asymptomatic.
    • Previous research on intellectual development in children with asymptomatic congenital CMV has yielded inconsistent results.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the long-term intellectual development of school-aged children with asymptomatic congenital CMV.
    • To specifically assess intelligence and academic achievement while controlling for hearing impairment.
    • To determine if asymptomatic congenital CMV poses a risk for mental impairment in normally hearing children.

    Main Methods:

    • Prospective study of 18 school-aged children with asymptomatic congenital CMV and normal hearing, compared to 18 matched controls.
    • Cognitive and academic assessments using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised, Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children, and Wide Range Achievement Test.
    • Multivariate analysis to compare intelligence scores, achievement scores, and learning disability incidence between groups.

    Main Results:

    • No significant differences were found between the congenital CMV group and controls in intelligence scores, subscale performance, or academic achievement.
    • The incidence of learning disabilities did not differ between the two groups.
    • Both groups exhibited mean scores close to national norms, indicating typical intellectual development.

    Conclusions:

    • Children born with asymptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus and normal hearing are unlikely to be at increased risk for mental impairment.
    • These findings are crucial for understanding the long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes for the estimated 25,000 US children born annually with asymptomatic congenital CMV and normal hearing.
    • Reassurance for parents and healthcare providers regarding the cognitive prognosis of children with asymptomatic congenital CMV and normal hearing.

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