Postnatal cytomegalovirus: innocent bystander or hidden problem?
- 1Department of Virology, Royal Free & University College Medical School, London, UK
- 2St George’s NHS Trust, London, UK
- Dr S Luck, Department of Virology, Royal Free & University College Medical School, Rowland Hill Street, Hampstead, London NW3 2PF, UK; sluck{at}doctors.org.uk
- Accepted 9 September 2008
- Published Online First 6 October 2008
Abstract
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common pathogen, associated with mild illness in most immunocompetent people. Historically, research on CMV infection in the relatively immunocompromised premature and small-for-gestational age neonatal population has been neglected. Recent studies have not only defined factors important in the transmission of CMV, but also led to the suggestion of serious morbidity related to postnatal acquisition. The burden of postnatal CMV disease and the risk–benefit of screening and prevention strategies are all still unclear.
Footnotes
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Competing interests: None.
