Cytomegalovirus infection among infants in California neonatal intensive care units, 2005-2010.

AIM: To assess the burden of congenital and perinatal cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease among infants hospitalized in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

METHODS: CMV infection was defined as a report of positive CMV viral culture or polymerase chain reaction at any time since birth in an infant hospitalized in a NICU reporting to California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative during 2005-2010.

RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-six (1.7 per 1000) infants were reported with CMV infection, representing an estimated 5% of the expected number of live births with symptomatic CMV disease. Prevalence was higher among infants with younger gestational ages and lower birth weights. Infants with CMV infection had significantly longer hospital stays and 14 (9%) died.

CONCLUSIONS: Reported prevalence of CMV infection in NICUs represents a fraction of total expected disease burden from CMV in the newborn period, likely resulting from underdiagnosis and milder symptomatic cases that do not require NICU care. More complete ascertainment of infants with congenital CMV infection that would benefit from antiviral treatment may reduce the burden of CMV disease in this population.