As part of an ongoing study looking at the rates of congenital cytomegalovirus, researchers
studied the potential effects of the COVID-19 epidemic on infection rates. In 2016,
researchers in Minnesota began a screening study of congenital cytomegalovirus infections
involving six newborn nurseries and three neonatal intensive care units. At the beginning
of the COVID-19 epidemic the study was halted in March of 2020, and then resumed again
in August 2020. The researchers compared congenital cytomegalovirus infection rates
pre-COVID from April 2016 to March 2020 to the rates in during COVID from August 2020
to December 2021. Newborns were screened for congenital cytomegalovirus infection
utilizing a saliva specimen within two weeks of birth and dried blood spot, and positive
results were confirmed by urine tests taken within three weeks of birth. The study
involved 15 697 newborns in the period before COVID and 4222 newborns during COVID,
and the results of the study were analyzed for factors including maternal age, race,
and birth order. In the time period before COVID there were 70 positive cases (4.5
per 1000, 95% confidence interval 3.5-5.6), and during COVID there were 6 positive
cases (1.4 per 1000, 95% confidence interval 0.6-3.2). The prevalence was highest
among mothers age 24 years or younger (6.0 per 1000, 95% confidence interval 3.3-10.7),
and second born children (6.0 vs. 3.2 per 1000, 95% confidence interval 4.4-8.3).
The substantial decrease in congenital cytomegalovirus infection rates during COVID
were postulated to be caused by reduced daycare attendance and COVID protocols such
as increased hand hygiene and reduced class sizes contributing to lower rates in first
born children and subsequent lower rates of transmission to the pregnant mother.
Schleiss M, Rosendahl S, McCaan M, et al. Assessment of Congenital Cytomegalovirus Prevalence Among Newborns in Minnesota During the COVID-19 Pandemic. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(9):e2230020. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.30020
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F. Y. Eye presents summaries of publications and news stories of interest to ophthalmologists. If you have any suggestions or contributions, please send tem to Ian McIlraith at [email protected]