Clinical manifestations and management of congenital cytomegalovirus infection: A systematic review

Abstract

Objective: The general objective of the present study is to analyze the scientific production on Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection, seeking to identify the main clinical manifestations, as well as the main methods used in the treatment of this pathology. Methodology: It is a systematic review focused on understanding the main aspects of Congenital Cytomegalovirus. The research was guided by the question: "What are the main signs and symptoms of congenital Cytomegalovirus infection in the pediatric population, as well as what are the therapeutic resources used in clinical practice?". To find answers, searches were performed in the PubMed database using four descriptors combined with the Boolean term "AND". This resulted in 194 articles. 23 articles were selected for analysis. Results: Sequelae of congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) can occur in primary and non-primary maternal infections, and primary infections present a higher risk of transplacental transmission. Prenatal and neonatal screening is not routinely recommended due to the absence of preventive medication and difficulty in predicting sequelae. Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common sequelae, occurring in both symptomatic and asymptomatic cases. Antiviral treatments are promising but carry significant risks, and vaccination remains a developing challenge. Conclusion: Congenital CMV infections affect child development. Diagnostic advances, such as PCR, improve detection, but the lack of a vaccine and the need for preventive education are challenges. Antiviral treatment is effective, but requires close monitoring, so a multidisciplinary approach is essential to mitigate the impacts of congenital CMV and improve children's quality of life.