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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Transmission of human cytomegalovirus via breastmilk and potential risks to very preterm infants

Klaus Hamprecht A and Rangmar Goelz B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Institute of Medical Virology
University Hospital of Tuebingen
Elfriede Aulhorn-Str 6
72076 Tuebingen, Germany
Tel: +49 7071 2984657
Fax: +49 7071 295552
Email: klaus.hamprecht@med.uni-tuebingen.de

B Department of Neonatology
University Children’s Hospital
Calwerstr. 7
72076 Tuebingen, Germany
Tel: +49 7071 298 08 95
Fax: +49 7071 29 39 69
Email: Rangmar.Goelz@med.uni-tuebingen.de

Microbiology Australia 36(4) 190-193 https://doi.org/10.1071/MA15066
Published: 27 October 2015

Abstract

Breastfeeding has clear short-term benefits for the baby1. Additionally, based on a prospective long-term cohort study from Brazil, breastfeeding is associated with improved IQ scores and increased educational attainment 30 years later2. During lactation, mother-to-infant transmission of viral infections like HIV, hepatitis B (HBV), and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), may occur. The article presented here will focus on the dynamics of HCMV shedding into breastmilk, describe the short- and long-term risks of HCMV infection of small preterm infants, and options for prevention.


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