Does normal fetal brain ultrasound predict normal neurodevelopmental outcome in congenital cytomegalovirus infection?

Objective: We evaluated the neuropsychological outcome of children with proven congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and normal consecutive fetal neurosonographic examinations.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed laboratory and imaging findings of children with congenital CMV infection. The study group consisted of children with a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in amniotic fluid and virus isolation in urine in the first week of life, and normal fetal ultrasonographic (US) examination findings, including a normal multiplanar neurosonographic evaluation.

[The importance of prenatal neuroimaging in prediction of developmental outcome of fetuses infected with cytomegalovirus].

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the most common viral cause of congenital infection and one of the most common contributors to neurodevelopmental disabilities in children. The physiological condition of the infants at birth is a good predictor of long-term cognitive functioning, while children who manifest clinical symptoms at birth (symptomatic) are more likely to develop future cognitive impairments. Brain imaging studies from prenatal diagnosed children are scant, focusing mainly on fetuses with brain signs of CMV infection.