Cytomegalovirus

How does a doctor know my child has cytomegalovirus?

• Most infections with CMV in the mother are not diagnosed because the virus produces few symptoms.
• A mother who has had CMV infection before may have antibodies present in her blood stream.

If your baby’s doctor suspects CMV, the doctor may screen your baby’s

• blood
• urine
• saliva
• liver function
• hearing
• brain, via ultrasound.

Is there a way to diagnose cytomegalovirus before my baby is born?

• If the mother has symptoms similar to mononucleosis (fever, swollen glands, constant fatigue, tonsillitis, liver malfunction) while pregnant, she may be given a test to screen for CMV.
• A prenatal ultrasound can test your baby for symptoms of a CMV infection by allowing your doctor to inspect the brain as well as your baby’s gestational size.