Pathogenesis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in pregnancy

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection during pregnancy can have devastating effects on the developing fetus. Maternal CMV infection can affect the fetus in two ways: firstly by transmission to, and replication in, fetal tissue resulting in direct damage to developing organs; or, less well recognised, through cellular changes that potentially affect placentation and transfer of nutrients and gases to the developing fetus.