Vestibular Dysfunction and Postural Changes in Children With Congenital Cytomegalovirus: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Infectious Diseases
• Neurology

Background:

• Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is a common viral infection in newborns.
• Vestibular and postural balance are crucial for child development and daily activities.
• Potential links between cCMV and neurodevelopmental issues are recognized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of vestibular and/or postural balance alterations in children with cCMV.
• To assess the association between cCMV infection and these impairments.
• To compare outcomes in children with cCMV against a control group.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.
• Inclusion of children aged 0-12 years diagnosed with cCMV within 21 days of birth.
• Assessment of vestibular function and postural balance using standardized tools.

Main Results:

• Eight observational studies were included, all reporting balance and vestibular changes in children with cCMV.
• A meta-analysis indicated approximately a 10-fold increased risk of vestibular changes in children with cCMV.
• Symptomatic children with cCMV showed a particularly elevated risk.

Conclusions:

• Children with cCMV, especially symptomatic cases, face a substantially higher risk of vestibular and balance deficits.
• The certainty of the evidence is very low, necessitating cautious interpretation of findings.
• Further high-quality research is recommended to confirm these associations and guide clinical practice, including pediatric vestibular screening.