Warning for pregnant women: beware of the cytomegalovirus

Every (future) mother is aware—partly thanks to the advice of the midwife—of the risks of toxoplasmosis and the listeria bacteria. However, what most pregnant women do not know is that another danger should be added to this list: the infectious disease cytomegalovirus. The virus that causes this disease can be easily contracted from a big kiss from your niece or licking the spoon of your toddler. But beware: the risks to your unborn child are significant.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a contagious disease that you can contract through the cytomegalovirus. At least 5 out of 10 Dutch people have contracted this infection at some point in their lives. CMV belongs to the group of herpes viruses and thus remains present in your body permanently. For most people, an infection with the virus does not have serious consequences. However, this does not apply to pregnant women and their child: an infection during pregnancy can lead to serious abnormalities in children who are infected with the virus in the womb.

Consequences of CMV for the unborn child
In the Netherlands, approximately 1,000 babies are born each year who are infected with the cytomegalovirus. Although most children show no symptoms after birth, according to the RIVM, 180 of them do suffer permanent damage. Health problems that can arise shortly after birth due to cytomegalovirus include jaundice, low birth weight, enlargement of the liver and spleen, and/or small skin bleedings. Later, your baby may even experience hearing loss, vision problems, or developmental delays. About 1 in 8 children infected with CMV who had no problems at birth will still experience the above complaints during childhood. For the pregnant woman herself, there is no additional risk of serious illnesses with a CMV infection.

How is CMV transmitted?
Especially young children can easily spread the virus. A big—and very wet—kiss from your little one or quickly drinking the last sip of lemonade from your toddler: it seems harmless but can lead to a virus infection. Or think of the toys—regularly ending up in one of the children's mouths—at the daycare center. The virus can be transmitted from person to person through saliva, urine, blood, and sexual contact, among other things. The great danger is that in most cases it is not visible that someone carries the virus. The symptoms are usually not severe, there may be fever, fatigue, and enlarged lymph nodes. You can reduce the risk of infection by washing your hands thoroughly with water and soap when you have come into contact with, for example, saliva or urine (for example, when changing a diaper).

CMV Information
Unfortunately, very few women know about this infectious disease while the risks to your unborn child are significant. Active information for pregnant women—such as by the midwife—could contribute to this. Whether you are infected with the virus can be demonstrated during a blood test. The midwife does test for the virus as part of a standard blood test, but little preventive attention is paid to it. Are you pregnant? Then be alert, be careful with coming into contact with bodily fluids, and wash your hands regularly with water and soap.

Want to know if you are prepared for the arrival of the baby? Readhereall about our latest course: Baby First Aid & Care!

You might also find this interesting: