Characteristics and risk factors of congenital cytomegalovirus infection in premature infants

Objective To investigate the prevalence of congenital cytomegalovirus （CMV） infection in premature infants, and analyze the characteristics and risk factors of CMV infection. Methods A total of 1315 premature infants were enrolled. Serum CMV IgM and DNA in the umbilical blood were tested by fluorescence quantitative PCR （FQ-PCR） and ELISA. Demographic information of the newborn and the mother was recorded. The risk factors of congenital CMV infection in premature infants were identified by binary multivariate Logistic regression analysis. Results The positive rate of serum CMV IgM and/or CMV DNA in 1315 premature infants was 1.98% （26/1315）, 1.44% （19/1315） for CMV IgM, 1.14% （15/1315） for serum CMV DNA and 0.61% （8/1315） for both CMV IgM and CMV DNA, respectively. The symptoms of CMV infection were mild. Maternal age of < 25 years old, first pregnancy and premature rupture of membranes during pregnancy were the risk factors for congenital CMV infection in premature infants （all P < 0.05）. Conclusions The prevalence of congenital CMV infection in premature infants is relatively high, primarily asymptomatic CMV infection. It is necessary to improve the awareness of CMV in childbearing women and strengthen the management of congenital CMV infection in premature infants.