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Clinical survey of congenital cytomegalovirus infection in Japan
Author(s) -
Morita Makoto,
Morishima Tsuneo,
Yamazaki Toshio,
Chiba Syunzou,
Kawana Takashi
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
pediatrics international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.49
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1442-200X
pISSN - 1328-8067
DOI - 10.1111/j.1442-200x.1998.tb01963.x
Subject(s) - medicine , pediatrics , hepatosplenomegaly , cytomegalovirus , incidence (geometry) , seroprevalence , low birth weight , disease , pregnancy , serology , viral disease , immunology , herpesviridae , genetics , virus , physics , antibody , biology , optics
BackgroundThe clinical features of congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in countries with a higher percentage of maternal seropositivity for CMV has rarely been reported. We conducted a national survey for the first time in Japan to investigate the prevalence of congenital CMV infection.Methods:Questionnaires were sent in 1994 to pediatricians and obstetricians of 3398 hospitals with either more than 100 beds or a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The questionnaire asked for the number of new cases in 1992 and 1993, maternal status of CMV infection, diagnostic methods, clinical manifestations at birth, sequelae and prognosis.Results.A total of 46 cases of CMV infection were reported for the years 1992 and 1993 by 1448 hospitals; of these 39 were symptomatic. The annual incidence of symptomatic disease was 1.6 cases/100 000 live births. Major clinical manifestations such as low birthweight, hepatosplenomegaly, petechiae and intracranial calcification were noted at birth in38–50% of symptomatic neonates. Sequelae, such as hearing loss, mental retardation and motor disability developed in 71% of survivors. Thirty‐five percent of the 49 infected infants had either died or had severe disability. Several clinical manifestations at birth, including petechiae/thrombocytopenia, were significantly associated with severe sequelae or a poor prognosis.Conclusion:The lower frequency of clinical findings at birth may be attributed to the higher seroprevalence of pregnant women in Japan than in Europe and the United States.