Congenital cytomegalovirus and its consequences for families

Abstract

Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is the most common viral and infectious cause of disabilities to newborn babies. It can cause sensorineural hearing loss and deafness, cerebral palsy, verbal, oral and motor dyspraxia, global developmental delay, microcephaly, feeding issues requiring a gastrostomy tube, intellectual disabilities, epilepsy, blindness and death. There are also children with cCMV who are on the autism spectrum however studies have yet to be carried out in this area. For the rest of the family the consequences of cCMV are life changing. Additional pressure on families, separation and divorces between parents, financial hardship, health issues such as anxiety, depression and chronic back problems are just a few examples. Siblings can often find themselves in carer roles, they will often have less time with their parents and are also at risk of having their own health issues such as anxiety.