Congenital cytomegalovirus (NORD)

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Congenital cytomegalovirus (NORD)

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A 2-day-old male infant is evaluated in the neonatal intensive care unit after two episodes of seizures. The patient was delivered via vaginal delivery at 37-weeks gestational age. The mother received minimal prenatal care and experienced a flu-like illness and pharyngitis in the second trimester. Birth weight and head circumference are at the 20th percentile. Temperature is 38.3°C (101°F), blood pressure is 84/52 mmHg, and pulse is 100/min. Physical examination is notable for petechiae and purpura over the arms, trunk, and legs. Abdominal examination reveals hepatosplenomegaly. Neuroimaging reveals the findings below. Which of the following additional physical examination findings is most likely present in this patient?
 
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Congenital cytomegalovirus infection is the infection of a fetus with cytomegalovirus, or CMV, during intrauterine life.

CMV is among the most common infections that cause defects during fetal development.

It is often grouped with other bacteria, parasites, and viruses that cause similar illnesses in the newborn, known under the acronym TORCH, which includes Toxoplasma.

Other pathogens - usually syphilisRubella; Cytomegalovirus, and Herpes simplex virus.

CMV belongs to the herpesviridae family of viruses.

Herpesviruses are double-stranded DNA viruses which are surrounded by a lipid envelope.

CMV is usually transmitted through contact with blood and other body fluids like breast milk, saliva, genital secretions, and urine of an infected person; or from transplanted organs.

Congenital CMV infection occurs when a pregnant woman is infected by CMV for the first time during the pregnancy, or there's reactivation of an old infection, or reinfection with a new strain of CMV.

The virus in the mother travels through the placenta to the growing fetus.

The exact mechanism by which CMV causes infection and defects in the developing fetus is still unknown, but it’s thought to be because of two things.

First, CMV can be cytopathic, or cell-damaging, as it replicates within the cells.

It breaks down the cytoskeletons which maintain the cell structure which results in enlarged cells with intranuclear viral inclusion bodies, giving it the classic “owl's eye” appearance.

It is also possible CMV slows down the process of mitosis, or cell division.

Since mitosis helps drive the development of the fetus, tissue with infected cells might not grow properly.

Second, CMV invades the endothelium of blood vessels, resulting in vasculitis, or inflammation of blood vessels.

Vasculitis can affect placental as well as fetal blood vessels, causing narrowing of the vessel wall. And, as a result, not enough blood flows to developing organs, causing abnormalities.

Congenital CMV also increases the risk of intrauterine growth restriction, meaning the fetus does not grow well, or oligohydramnios or polyhydramnios, which is increased or decreased amniotic fluid.

Summary

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a viral infection that can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus, usually resulting in birth defects. Babies affected by congenital CMV are usually born with petechiae, hepatosplenomegaly, sensorineural hearing loss, eye abnormalities, developmental delays, microcephaly, motor disabilities such as cerebral palsy, and frequent seizures.

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