What Parents Should Know About This Common Cause of Birth Defects

May 13, 2025 at 01:00 AM EDT

SPONSORED CONTENT -- (StatePoint) Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus that infects people of all ages and belongs to the same family as other common viruses like the chicken pox virus. When a pregnant woman catches CMV and the growing fetus becomes infected, this is known as congenital CMV (cCMV) and it impacts about 1 in 200 babies.

While most babies born with cCMV do not develop signs of infection, about 1 in 5 will have birth defects or other long-term health problems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Signs at birth can include rash, jaundice, microcephaly (small head size), low birth weight, enlarged liver and spleen, seizures, and damaged eye retina. Long-term problems can include changes in hearing and vision, developmental and/or motor delay, microcephaly, lack of coordination or weakness, and seizures.

Young children with CMV can spread the virus to their parents. This is why the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers these tips to parents, childcare providers, and pregnant women to lower their chance of infection:

• Reduce contact with saliva and urine from babies and young children.

• Do not share food, utensils, cups or pacifiers with a child.

• Wash your hands with soap and water after changing diapers or helping a child to use the toilet.

If your newborn is exhibiting signs of cCMV, visit your pediatrician as soon as possible. Testing for cCMV must be done within 2 to 3 weeks after the baby is born. If your baby has cCMV and is exhibiting signs of infection, antivirals can help, though babies who are being treated with these medicines should be closely watched by their doctor for possible side effects.

The AAP offers comprehensive resources for physicians to help them identify cCMV and support treatment of the virus, as well as resources for families and caregivers.

“It’s important to remember that many of us do not know if we have a CMV infection. Even without symptoms, we can spread the virus through body fluids like urine and saliva. Reducing the spread of the virus to those who are pregnant and others at risk of serious illness, as well as knowing the signs of cCMV, is essential,” says Mary T. Caserta, MD, FAAP, professor of pediatrics in infectious diseases at the University of Rochester Medical Center and member of the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases.

Photo Credit: (c) ABRAHAM GONZALEZ FERNANDEZ / iStock via Getty Images Plus

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What Parents Should Know About This Common Cause of Birth Defects

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