Manifestations of Symptomatic Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection and Gancyclovir effect

Objective To determine the clinical manifestation of congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and the effect of gancyclovir. Methodology Twenty newborns with congenital CMV infection were admitted at Queen Rania Hospital (KHMC) between January 2009 and December 2010 and were treated with Gancyclovir were included in the study. Result The most common clinical presentation was intrauterine growth retardation (45%), Hepatosplenomegaly (35%), Chorioretinites (35%) and purpuric skin rash (25%). Brain MRI was positive in 20%. Complete blood count was abnormal in 20%. More than 75% patients improved with gancyclovir without any complications. Conclusion Intrauterine growth retardation, hepatosplenomegaly and chorioretinites were commonest clinical manifestations of CMV infection. Gancyclovir was effective. Prevention of congenital CMV infection by immunization of symptomatic women who are at risk of primary infection during gestation should be emphasized.