Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2025
Intracerebroventricular and Intravascular Injection of Viral Particles and Fluorescent Microbeads into the Neonatal Brain
Published on: July 24, 2016
Incidence of ophthalmic manifestations in congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Jennifer L Rossen1,2, Abdelhamid Hindi1,2, Safa Rahmani1,2
1Division of Ophthalmology, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, 225 E. Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL, 60611, United States of America.
Insights
Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) can cause eye problems in infants, even without retinitis. Many infants with CMV have systemic issues and require ongoing eye monitoring beyond initial screening.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections are a leading cause of non-genetic sensorineural hearing loss and neurodevelopmental disabilities in children.
- Ocular manifestations are common in infants with congenital CMV, particularly those with systemic disease.
- Current ophthalmic screening guidelines for infants with congenital CMV are lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and types of ocular findings in pediatric patients diagnosed with congenital CMV.
- To determine the association between systemic manifestations and ocular findings in congenital CMV.
- To evaluate the need for ongoing ophthalmic surveillance in this population.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review was conducted on pediatric patients (<18 years) diagnosed with congenital CMV between 2010 and 2023.
- Data collected included gestational age, systemic findings, and ophthalmic findings from initial and follow-up eye examinations.
- Seventy-two patients with congenital CMV and at least one eye examination were included in the analysis.
Main Results:
- Of 72 patients, 33% had ocular findings, all of whom also had systemic manifestations.
- The most common ocular findings were strabismus (26%) and optic nerve abnormalities (17%).
- Retinitis was rare (3%), detected only at the initial examination. Premature infants (<36 weeks gestation) showed higher rates of systemic and ocular abnormalities.
Conclusions:
- Ocular findings are present in one-third of infants with congenital CMV, often accompanying systemic manifestations.
- While initial screening for retinitis is crucial, other ocular conditions necessitate continued ophthalmological follow-up.
- Pediatric patients with systemic sequelae of congenital CMV require long-term ophthalmic surveillance for diverse eye manifestations.
Background:
Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections are associated with eye manifestations, especially in patients with systemic disease. However, there are no ophthalmic screening guidelines for infants with congenital CMV.
Methods:
Retrospective review of pediatric patients (< 18 years old, 2010-2023) with a diagnosis of congenital CMV and at least 1 eye examination. Gestational age at birth, systemic findings, and ophthalmic findings at initial and final eye examinations were collected.
Results:
Seventy-two patients (47% male) with congenital CMV underwent initial eye examination at 2.1 ± 2.9 years of age (median 0.3 years). Thirty-one patients (43%) only had one eye examination while 41 patients had follow-up (1 month-19 years). Fifty-two patients (72%) had systemic findings, most commonly hearing loss (50%), neurologic abnormalities (39%), and developmental delay (38%). Patients born < 36 weeks gestation (n = 15) had a higher rate of systemic findings, neurologic abnormalities, developmental delay, and intrauterine growth restriction compared to full-term patients. Twenty-four (33%) patients had ocular findings and all also had systemic manifestations. Strabismus (26%) and optic nerve abnormalities (17%) were most common. Only 2 patients (3%) were diagnosed with retinitis, which was detected at initial examination.
Conclusions:
One-third of patients with congenital CMV had ocular findings in conjunction with systemic manifestations. Retinitis was rare and detected on initial eye examination. While initial screening for retinitis is important, patients with systemic sequelae of congenital CMV are at risk for other eye manifestations and require continued follow-up.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Glaucoma: Overview
01:22Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways