Infectious diseases >>>> Cytomegalovirus infection in children

Cytomegalovirus infection in children.

Infection of children with cytomegalovirus occurs in several ways:

In the womb, transplacentally from an infected woman until conception or during pregnancy,
During childbirth at the time of passage of the birth canal,
Through breast milk,
When kissing infected adults through saliva,
Through blood with blood transfusions.

The risk of fetal infection is up to 50%. Infection of a pregnant cytomegalovirus infection can cause miscarriage or prematurity of the fetus. Most often, congenital cytomegaly is generalized, when many organs and systems of the infant's body are affected.

The ability of cytomegalovirus to affect the nervous system affects the health of children with congenital cytomegaly in the form of the development of neurological diseases, brain dysfunctions, neurotic disorders, and skin diseases. In addition, there are high risks of developing diseases of internal organs: liver (hepatitis), hepatosplenomegaly (an increase in the volume of the liver and spleen).

Acquired cytomegalovirus infection in children, according to statistics, occurs in cases of contact with infected maternity hospital staff or parents (especially mothers with kissing and breastfeeding). In addition to the contact route of infection, the virus enters the child's body through plasma or blood transfusions from an unverified source. Acquired cytomegaly manifests itself:

damage to the salivary glands (their increase, increased salivation),
enlarged lymph nodes,
intestinal disorders,
vomiting,
an increase in the size of the liver, spleen and a disorder of their functions,
impaired respiratory function (cyanosis, shortness of breath),
chills, fever,
redness of the mucous membranes of the mouth, oropharynx,
general weakness.

The acute period of acquired cytomegaly lasts from two to four weeks.

The generalized form of acquired cytomegaly is a rare occurrence. It differs in that cytomegalovirus gradually affects all organ systems: digestive, respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous. Most often, the symptoms of a generalized infection resemble those of pneumonia, mononucleosis, toxic lesions with gastrointestinal disorders. The generalized form of cytomegaly has a long course.

Treatment of cytomegalovirus infection in children does not fundamentally differ from similar treatment of cytomegalovirus in adults. Antiviral drugs with specific action, anti-cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin (NeoCytotect), immunostimulants are used.