Australian guidelines add CMV warnings for pregnant women

New federal guidelines instruct maternity teams to tell every pregnant woman about cytomegalovirus and the hygiene steps that lower infection risk. The changes also direct blood testing for women who have young children or work with children. Congenital CMV is the most common congenital infection in Australia.

Roughly 2,000 babies are born with it each year, and about 400 develop lasting disabilities such as hearing loss, vision loss, cerebral palsy or epilepsy. The virus spreads through saliva, urine and other bodily fluids. Infection during pregnancy can damage the placenta and fetal organs, sometimes causing stillbirth or neonatal death.

Hygiene steps listed in the guidelines Three measures are highlighted: wash hands thoroughly after changing nappies or handling toys, avoid kissing children on the lips, and do not share food, drinks or cutlery with young children. A neonatologist stated that safe hygiene lowers CMV risk by 70 percent in high-risk women.

The same source noted that fewer than 20 percent of pregnant women know about CMV and only 10 percent of maternal-health staff routinely discuss it. One woman who contracted CMV during pregnancy described learning of the infection at her 20-week scan.

She said an earlier blood test and antiviral treatment might have changed the outcome. CMV is usually mild in adults, and most people contract it at some point. Pregnant women face the greatest risk when they have not had the virus before and have close contact with toddlers.

The Royal Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists issued prevention advice in 2019. June is designated CMV Awareness Month.