More children have disabilities due to congenital CMV (cytomegalovirus) than other well-known infections and syndromes, including Down Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Spina Bifida, and Pediatric HIV/AIDS. In a recent survey of women in the United States, only 22% had heard of CMV, compared with 97% who had heard of Down Syndrome and 98% who had heard of HIV/AIDS (Jeon 2006). A more recent study found that only 14% of women in the United States had heard of CMV (Ross 2008).
Raise CMV Awareness and Help Save Children
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), CMV is the most common congenital (present at birth) viral infection in the United States. 1 in 150 children is born infected with congenital CMV. Each year, 30,000 children are born with congenital CMV causing 400 deaths and leaving 8,000 children with permanent disabilities such as deafness, blindness, cerebral palsy, mental and physical disabilities, and seizures.
In the United States, about 50 to 60% of women are at risk for contracting CMV infection during pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the CDC recommend that OB/GYNs counsel women on basic prevention measures to guard against CMV infection. But according to a 2007 survey, fewer than half (44%) of OB/GYNs reported counseling their patients about preventing CMV (MMWR, Jan. 25, 2008). This could be due to the perceived rarity of congenital CMV cases, the OB/GYN's possible limited knowledge of the virus, the lack of congenital CMV diagnoses within their practice, or just a simple oversight.
Prevent CMV by Avoiding Germs While Pregnant
CMV is a very common virus in young children and it is estimated that up to 70% of healthy children between 1 and 3 years of age may have CMV. CMV can be transmitted to pregnant women via bodily fluids, including saliva, urine, tears, blood, mucus, etc. To prevent CMV, practice frequent handwashing with soap and water after contact with diapers or oral secretions, especially with a child who is in daycare or interacting with other young children on a regular basis. Other basic prevention measures to guard against CMV include not kissing young children on the mouth and not sharing food, towels, or utensils with them.
Stop CMV understands how difficult it may be to adjust ones daily routine while pregnant, especially for mothers and those women who work as child care providers, daycare workers, nurses, teachers, and therapists. However, it is important for these messages to be communicated to pregnant women and those planning future pregnancies in order to inform and empower them to take a more active role in their personal hygiene and healthcare decisions.
How You Can Help Stop CMV
June is National Congenital CMV Awareness Month. Stop CMV wants to increase CMV's public profile to save thousands of children from disability and death. The Hands to Stop CMV Awareness Campaign is aiming to collect photographs of people with "Stop CMV" written on their hand to be posted online for public viewing and voting during the month of June. The photo receiving the most public votes will be featured in public service announcements for Stop CMV. Two guest judges, Andrea Dunham (Creative Director for Women's Health magazine) and Luke Duval (Fashion, Beauty, and Celebrity Photographer) will select additional winners.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Jeon J, Victor M, Adler SP, Arwady A, Demmler G, Fowler K, Goldfarb J, Keyserling H, Massoudi M, Richards K, Staras SAS, Cannon MJ: Knowledge and awareness of congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) among women, Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol Article ID 80383, 1-7 (2006).
Knowledge and practices of obstetricians and gynecologists regarding cytomegalovirus infection during pregnancy-United States, 2007, MMWR, Vol. 57, 65-68 (January 25, 2008).
Ross DS, Victor M, Sumartojo E, Cannon MJ: Women's knowledge of congenital cytomegalovirus: Results from the 2005 HealthStyles survey, J Womens Health, Vol. 17, 849-58 (2008).
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