Cytomegalovirus infection in a child: causes, prevention and treatment

Cytomegalovirus infection in a child refers to diseases with a latent flow pattern. The causative agent is cytomegalovirus (a virus from the herpes group). Many parents are wondering about where the child managed to get infected. In fact, in most cases, cytomegalovirus enters the baby's body from the mother even in the intrauterine period. Of course, there is a possible way of infection through the blood or contact-household in the kindergarten, at school, but with newborn children, basically, the transplacental mode of transmission plays a decisive role.

The acute course of the disease caused by cytomegalovirus often leads to miscarriages or fetal death in utero. Sometimes such a pathology is a medical indication for abortion.

It is worth noting that cytomegalovirus infection in a child does not always have clinical manifestations. About 20% of cases occur with severe symptoms. In newborns, cytomegalovirus infection can manifest as jaundice, there is an increase in the liver and spleen, a rash appears. In some cases, there may be changes in the organs of vision, nervous and cardiovascular systems.

Sometimes a pregnant woman may have no signs of a disease, like a newborn child. As a result of this combination of circumstances, cytomegalovirus infection of children leads to a developmental lag, muscle weakness, deafness and other pathologies. In the future, there may be problems with the teeth, the body does not produce enough substances to form strong enamel, there are changes in tooth rudiments, and another pathology is possible.

But not always cytomegalovirus infection in a child manifests immediately after birth, it is often diagnosed in 4-7 years. At this age, the clinical picture of the viral disease is blurred and more like the symptomatology of SARS. That is why early diagnosis of CMV is difficult.

In addition to the main signs of respiratory disease, fever is noted, an increase in lymph nodes in the armpit, sometimes manifestations in the form of colitis or enteritis. Cytomegalovirus infection in a child can occur in a generalized form, and affect one organ or system. For example, there is a pulmonary or hepatic form, in the form of mononucleosis, gastrointestinal disease. It is also possible the combined course of the infectious process.

Having found out what a cytomegalovirus infection is, it is necessary to get acquainted with the methods of treatment in children. This is the reception of interferon preparations that stimulate the body's defenses, prevent the activation of a viral infection. The choice of antiviral drugs creates some difficulties, because Many of them have a toxic effect on the children's body. Given that the disease can occur in acute and severe form, treatment can include a set of measures aimed at removing symptoms from the affected organ, to eliminate intoxication, as well as to restore the body as soon as possible.