Resolved question:
I recently gave birth approximately 15 weeks ago and had my baby´s cord blood privately banked. As part of the cord blood collection process, they ran a CMV total antibody test on my blood and I was informed by the cord blood banking company that I tested positive for CMV antibodies. They explained that this is somewhat common and that it shouldn´t cause any issues in non-immunocompromised individuals. Nevertheless, I have read information that says that pregnant women can pass CMV on to their fetus or baby after birth. I understand that if I tested positive for antibodies, this means that I could have either been infected at the time of the test be infected or have had a past infection. If it was a past infection, then the CMV stays in my body and can be reactivated. Unfortunately, the Cord Blood Banking company said that they cannot tell me which antibodies I tested positive for and there is no way to know whether it was a primary or past infection that caused the antibody test to come out positive.
Is this something I should be concerned about? I have read that CMV infection in infants can cause brain damage and other issues and that most infants do not show symptoms at birth. Should my baby be tested for CMV? Is this something I should be checked for in a subsequent pregnancy (e.g., in case of reactivation)?
Thank you.
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Family Physician-GP
Hello and thankyou for approaching DoctorSpring with your query.
I have gone through your case and understand you concern.
It is right that it is common to have CMV antibodies as you may have got it sometime earlier. It is less likely that you had a primary infection or reactivation at the time of your pregnancy. Even if you had a primary infection, antiviral drug treatment is rarely indicated in immunocompetent adults, including pregnant women. So most likely you had a CMV infection at some point of your life and it just manifested as a positive test. ( CMV test can be positive from past infection also)
Treatment of asymptomatic cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections that are congenital or acquired in a normal host is not recommended.
It is very unlikely that your child has developed a congenital infection. However you can get the child tested in the first 3 weeks after birth from urine or saliva sample. Discuss with your Pediatrician whether the test is really needed. If your baby is healthy and asymptomatic there is nothing much to worry.
I would suggest that you need not worry as it is unlikely to cause any problem as you are NOT immunocompromised.
If you have notice that your child has decreased hearing, jaundice, rash, feeding difficulties, seizures or any neurologic problem, you can get the child examined.
It is not recommended to get tested before your next pregnancy as you already have antibodies to CMV, besides it is difficult to distinguis whether it is primary or non primary infection and no vaccine is available. Antiviral therapy is not recommended if you are immunocompetent and have no symptoms.
I hope this has helped.
Feel free to follow up.
Thankyou