P35: Congenital viral diseases

P35.1: Congenital cytomegalovirus infection

The placenta forms in the mother’s womb during pregnancy. The placenta consists of cells from the mother and cells from the unborn child. The umbilical cord connects the child to the placenta. The child is supplied with oxygen and nutrients from the mother's blood via the placenta.

If the mother contracts a CMV virus while pregnant, the virus can pass from the mother to the child via the placenta. This can damage the child's health.

There may be changes to the child's brain. Moreover, their liver and spleen might be enlarged. The liver and spleen are situated in the top right and left of the abdomen. There may also be changes in the newborn baby's blood. As time goes on, the child may be unable to hear or see properly. The brain damage may also prevent the proper development of some capabilities.

It is also possible that there are no post-natal health problems even though the child was infected by a CMV virus.