Congenital cytomegalovirus infection is associated with high maternal socio‐economic status and corresponding low maternal cytomegalovirus seropositivity. (5th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Basha, James; Iwasenko, Jenna M; Robertson, Peter; Craig, Maria E; Rawlinson, William D
• Is Part Of: Journal of paediatrics and child health. Volume 50:Number 5(2014:May)
• Page Start: 368
• Page End: 372
• Publication Date: 2014-03-05
• Subjects: Children -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; 618.92
• DOI: 10.1111/jpc.12502
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1034-4810

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="jpc12502-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aims</title> <p>Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the leading infectious cause of congenital infection in developed countries. Globally, CMV seropositivity has been associated with low socio‐economic status (SES); however, Australian data are lacking. Therefore, we examined the association between SES and CMV seroprevalence in children and pregnant women.</p> </sec> <sec id="jpc12502-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Three groups were examined: 1, a prospective cohort of Australian children aged 0–15 years (<italic>n</italic> = 220); 2, a clinic‐based sample of pregnant women (<italic>n</italic> = 778); and 3, a case series of infants and children (<italic>n</italic> = 219) with symptomatic congenital CMV infection. SES was determined using a postcode‐based score from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.Group 1 was recruited from endocrinology clinics and follow‐up at Prince of Wales Hospital and Children's Hospital at Westmead. Group 2 was recruited at the Royal Hospital for Women. Congenitally infected infants were identified through the Australian Paediatric Surveillance Unit.</p> </sec> <sec id="jpc12502-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>CMV seroprevalence among all children was 20% (95% confidence interval (CI) 15–25%), and there was no association with SES (<italic>P</italic> = 0.58). Seroprevalence among pregnant women was 57% (53–60%), and higher rates of CMV seropositivity were associated with lower SES (<italic>P</italic> < 0.001). More congenital CMV cases were reported in the highest socio‐economic groups (55%) than the lowest (9%) (<italic>P</italic> < 0.001).</p> </sec> <sec id="jpc12502-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>A marked socio‐economic gradient in CMV seroprevalence is evident in Australian pregnant women and cases of congenital CMV but not in unselected Australian children. These findings highlight the importance of a community‐wide approach to CMV awareness and the potential for hygienic measures to reduce the burden of congenital CMV in Australia.</p> </sec> </abstract>