Common Maternal Virus Can Lead to Cerebral Palsy And Other Birth Defects

An extremely common, but little known viral infection that doesn’t cause harm in most people, poses a dangerous threat during pregnancy and is the leading cause of birth defects such as cerebral palsy.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 50 to 80 percent of adults have at one time been infected with cyto-megalovirus (CMV), a virus that typically strikes during childhood, causing no problems and virtually no symptoms.

However, if the infection occurs during pregnancy, there is a significant risk that the child will suffer devastating consequences. “CMV is the second most common cause of mental retardation in children…and is the most common infection that cause deafness in babies.

Approximately 10 to 15 percent of babies born to mothers who developed CMV during pregnancy will suffer a birth defect like cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and/or deafness.

Vaccine Offers Hope

Currently, researchers are developing a vaccine they hope will prevent the onset of CMV, thus reducing the risk of birth defects. “The goal of this vaccine is to try to confer immunity to a woman before delivery and then prevent transmission of CMV to the developing baby,” said Dr. Mark Schleiss of the University of Minnesota.

While human clinical trials are years away, Schleiss and other researchers claim the best strategy is education. “There are some women who are at increased risk for infection and transmission, and I think it all has to start with a dialogue between women and her primary care provider or her obstetrician.”

CMV testing is currently not part of the typical prenatal examinations, but experts advise those who are considering getting pregnant—particularly those that work with children—to talk about testing options with their physicians.

The viral infection is spread through saliva and other bodily fluids and symptoms may include fever and aches.

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