What do Zika and CMV Have in Common?

Most expecting women have already heard about the Zika virus. Zika has left 2,000 infants with severe brain damage.

But for pregnant women, cytomegalovirus (CMV) may be a greater health risk to their babies. CMV is the most common congenital viral infection and the leading nongenetic cause of deafness in children.

According to the Centers of Disease and Control (CDC) approximately 30 thousand infants are born with CMV, and 20 percent develop permanent disabilities each year. Moreover, 400 children die from it annually.

There is no vaccine available to prevent CMV.

Some experts argue that because there is no vaccine or proven treatment, there is no point in worrying expecting women about the virus.

But should mothers and babies be routinely screened for the CMV infection?

Approximately 27 percent of OB/GYNs have reported diagnosed CMV infection in pregnant woman. Among the 86 percent of OB/GYNs who reported testing for CMV during pregnancy, most provided the CMV testing only if their patients requested it or because a fetal anomaly was identified.

CMV is transmitted by contact with saliva and urine — often from diaper-wearing children to adults. Pregnant women often get it from toddlers. Mothers can reduce their risks of contracting CMV with hand-washing, and not sharing utensils.

CMV takes up permanent residence in the body and can cause illness again after being dormant. Like the Zika virus, CMV produces influenza symptoms, which are hard to identify, but can be devastating to a baby.

In most states, babies are not universally screened at birth for CMV infection. Utah was the first state, in 2013, to carry out CMV screening of newborns who did not pass hearing tests. Connecticut and Illinois are now offering similar screening options.

The CDC is now suggesting states begin routine screening of newborns for CMV.