Hu X, Hu W, Sun X, et al. - Findings demonstrate that the rate of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection was higher in low birth weight (LBW) or premature infants fed untreated breast milk compared with other feeding groups.

• This is a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies evaluating the impact of CMV transmitted by breast milk on LBW and premature infants.

• Analysis of 18 studies with 1920 LBW and premature infants revealed a significantly higher pooled CMV infection rate from breast milk for infants fed untreated breast milk vs those fed frozen breast milk [19.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 11.8–29.9% vs 13.5, 95% CI = 8.0–22.0%).

• Similarly, a significantly higher pooled CMV infection rate was noted for infants fed untreated breast milk vs those with mixed feeding.

• The reported rate of CMV-related symptoms was significantly lower in the mixed feeding group vs the other groups (2.4%, P < 0.01).