Koyano S, et al. - A scrutiny was conducted of the consequences of congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) cases detected via urine-filter screening assay after follow-up for more than 2 years. This study also resolved to observe the clinical outcomes after anti-CMV therapies.The findings disclosed similar rate of late-onset sequelae in Japan with the cases reported in the US and European countries. Favorable clinical outcomes were yielded through the treatment of symptomatic cases with antiviral agents. Hence, the results recommended newborn screening of congenital CMV infection by the collection of urine on filter paper.

Methods

• This study recruited sixty among the 72 congenital CMV cases.
• Clinical examination was carried out for more than 2 years, including the forty-three cases asymptomatic at birth, 7 cases symptomatic at birth but untreated with anti-CMV drugs, and 10 symptomatic cases treated with anti-CMV drugs.

Results

• Among the 43 asymptomatic cases, 3 cases developed hearing loss or language disabilities for which the connection with congenital CMV was often reported.
• 2 cases illustrated neurological sequelae of which etiology was unclear.
• This, in turn, pointed out that the rate of CMV-associated late-onset sequelae was 7-12%.
• Sequelae was reported in all 7 symptomatic infants without treatment.
• In contrast, 3 of the 10 treated cases were free from any sequelae.