Disease burden of congenital cytomegalovirus infection at school entry age: study design, participation rate and birth prevalence.

Congenital cytomegalovirus infection (cCMV) may lead to symptoms at birth and long-term consequences. We present a nationwide, retrospective cohort study on the outcome of cCMV up to age 6 years. For this study we identified cCMV, using polymerase chain reaction, by analysing dried blood spots, which are taken shortly after birth for neonatal screening. The group of children with cCMV were compared to a group of children who were cCMV negative at birth. Data were collected about their health and development up to age 6 years. Parents of 73 693 children were invited to participate, and 32 486 (44·1%) gave informed consent for testing of their child's dried blood spot for CMV. Of the 31 484 dried blood spots tested, 156 (0·5%) were positive for cCMV. Of these, four (2·6%) children had been diagnosed with cCMV prior to this study. This unique retrospective nationwide study permits the estimation of long-term sequelae of cCMV up to the age of 6 years. The birth prevalence of cCMV in this study was 0·5%, which is in line with prior estimates. Most (97·4%) children with cCMV had not been diagnosed earlier, indicating under-diagnosis of cCMV.

Cytomegalovirus infection in the Netherlands: seroprevalence, risk factors, and implications.

BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections occur worldwide and are usually asymptomatic in healthy individuals. In fetuses and immunocompromised persons, they can cause severe disease and disabilities. OBJECTIVE: To determine the CMV seroprevalence and risk factors for CMV infection in the Netherlands. STUDY DESIGN: In a cross-sectional population-based study (PIENTER-2, 2006-2007), sera and questionnaire data were collected from 6386 individuals. Sera were tested for CMV-specific IgG antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The CMV seroprevalence in the general population (6 months-79 years) was 45.6%. Age and country of origin were the most prominent independent risk factors. The seroprevalence was significantly lower in native Dutch and Western individuals (41.5%) than in non-Western individuals (76.7%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that age, lower educational level, first-generation migrancy, and among native Dutch/Western individuals, female gender and having contact with young children, were independently associated with CMV seropositivity. The geometric mean concentrations of antibodies increased with age and were higher in women than in men. CONCLUSION: CMV seroprevalence in the Netherlands is relatively low compared to other countries. This is in line with our finding of a higher seroprevalence among migrants compared to the native population. The higher seroprevalence in women and individuals who have contact with young children is especially important for women of reproductive age. Preventing CMV infection in these women, through counseling on hygiene or possible future vaccination, may lead to a decrease of congenital CMV infections.