[Post-transfusion cytomegalovirus infection in newborn infants]

Post-transfusional cytomegalovirus infection (P.T.C.M.V.) represents a minor part (perhaps about 0.2%) when compared with C.M.V. infections or maternal origin (congenital 0.2-0.5% - post-natal first year 20%). However P.T.C.M.V. infections are associated with higher morbidity and mortality because: These infections develop in infants born from uninfected mothers (C.M.V. sero-negative mothers). These newborns have no passively acquired antibodies from maternal origin which probably prevent or limit the spreading of P.T.C.M.V. infection in infants born from C.M.V. seropositive mothers. Transfused newborns are essentially recruited among great premature infants. The transfusional needs of these newborns are great: many of them receive more than ten micro-transfusions of red blood cells during their hospitalisation period. So the risk for developing C.M.V. infection is high (10-20%). The limited immune competence of these newborns and the fact that many already suffer from other developmental defects explain the severity of these P.T.C.M.V. infections. This contrasts with the well-supported C.M.V. infections post-natally acquired in term newborns. Prevention of P.T.C.M.V. infections is possible (A. Yeager, 1981) when using blood from C.M.V. sero-negative donors. Frozen blood appears also effective. It is highly desirable that blood Transfusion Centers permit such a prevention for red blood cells transfusion or exchange-transfusion in newborns less than 1 500 g B.W. and for intra-uterine transfusions.