Question
A 31-week preterm baby, after one month of hospitalization, is about to be discharged and undergoes a routine check-up. It was found that the baby has recurrent jaundice. Further tests show that the baby’s CMV-igm antibody index is 41.17 COI, and the CMV-lgG antibody level is 105.3 IU/mL. What does this indicate?
Answer
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is one of the common viral infections in infancy, which can be transmitted vertically from the mother to the fetus, leading to congenital infection. In the test, an elevated level of CMV-igm antibody usually indicates a recent infection, while a positive CMV-lgG antibody indicates past infection or vaccination. Based on the test results, the preterm baby may be at risk for congenital CMV infection. Congenital CMV infection can increase the risk of preterm birth, miscarriage, stillbirth, or postnatal death, and may cause long-term sequelae in surviving children, such as developmental delays, neuromuscular motor disorders, hearing loss, and choroidoretinitis. In this situation, further examination and assessment should be conducted, including detailed medical history inquiries, physical examinations, and possibly other tests, to determine the severity of the infection and whether treatment is needed.