Developmental Outcomes in Asymptomatic Congenital CMV Infection

Investigators from the CDC and Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, conducted a longitudinal case control study to assess intelligence and academic achievement in children with asymptomatic cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections. Cases were children born between 1982 and 1992 at Women’s Hospital of Texas who were found to be positive on newborn screening for CMV (based on a urine culture within the first 3 weeks of life). Only newborns with no signs of congenital CMV disease (ie, no purpura, petechiae, jaundice, hepatosplenomegaly, microcephaly, elevated liver enzymes, hemolytic anemia, or thrombocytopenia) were included as cases. Controls were children who screened negative for CMV at birth and matched with a case on date of birth (within 6 days). Study participants were assessed with standardized, age-appropriate, full-scale intelligence, receptive and expressive language, and academic achievement tests …