New Guidelines: Warn All Pregnant Women About CMV Virus

National guidelines in Australia have been updated to ensure all pregnant women are warned about congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV), a prevalent herpes-like virus. This virus is the leading infectious cause of disability in infants, impacting nearly 2000 babies annually in Australia.

Approximately 400 children are born each year with disabilities due to CMV, including deafness, blindness, and epilepsy. The virus, transmitted through bodily fluids, can lead to severe complications like stillbirth and neonatal death.

The updated Australian Pregnancy Care Guidelines advise maternity teams to educate women on CMV and hygiene strategies. High-risk individuals, such as those with young children or working in childcare, are recommended for early blood testing.

Despite CMV being significantly more common than toxoplasmosis and listeria during pregnancy, awareness remains low among both the public and healthcare professionals. Simple hygiene practices can reduce infection risk by 70% in high-risk women.

Personal accounts highlight the devastating impact of CMV. One mother, Jennifer Kennedy, faced the heartbreaking decision to terminate her pregnancy after her unborn son was severely affected by CMV, a choice she believes could have been avoided with earlier knowledge and testing.

While CMV is usually harmless and infects about 85% of the population, contracting it during pregnancy poses a risk to the fetus. About 2% of pregnant women contract CMV for the first time during pregnancy, with one in three passing it to their baby. Of these, 15% develop CMV-related disabilities by age five.

Efforts are underway to improve awareness, with June designated as CMV Awareness Month. Organizations emphasize that pregnant women have a right to this information to protect their babies.