We are all aware of the need to cut out alcohol, eat well and take moderate exercise, particularly during pregnancy. But a new study in the UK has shown that many women are unwittingly contaminating their unborn babies with a virus called Cytomegalovirus (CMV) which can result in babies being born with disabilities such as epilepsy, cerebral palsy and hearing loss.
The report by researchers from University College London warns that up to 1,000 babies a year are born with CMV.
The virus effects up to 60 per cent of people at some point in their lives but most will not be aware because there are no symptoms. Passed on through body fluids, pregnant women usually catch it from their other young children through changing nappies, licking their spoons or kissing their faces.
Dr Paul McKeown of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) explains what the condition is and how it is acquired. “Cytomegalovirus [CMV] is a member of the Herpes virus family which infects about 60 per cent of the European population,” he says. “After infection, the virus remains dormant within the body but can be reactivated during periods when the body’s immune system is weakened.
“It is transmitted from person to person via contact with infected body fluids [urine, saliva, blood, faeces, semen, breast milk, tears] and also through sexual contact, kissing, blood transfusion, organ transplants and from an infected mother to baby during pregnancy or via breastfeeding.”
Asymptomatic
CMV infections are usually asymptomatic but some people can experience fever, fatigue, sore throat and swollen glands. The public health specialist says while the infection is not a problem for healthy people, it can cause diseases in people undergoing chemotherapy, transplant recipients and newborn babies.
There is no treatment for the infection but McKeown says pregnant women should take precautions to protect their unborn babies from contamination because if they contract CMV infection during pregnancy, they can unwittingly pass the infection on to their unborn baby who may go on to develop congenital CMV disease.
“Use of antiviral treatment in infected babies is currently being evaluated while vaccines for the prevention of CMV infection are still under development,” he says. “Each year, approximately one in 750 children in the United States is born with or develops disabilities as a result of CMV infection. Such disabilities include:
Problems with liver, lung and/or spleen
- Small size at birth
- Small head
- Mental disability
- Loss of vision or hearing
- Seizures
- Lack of co-ordination
- Bleeding problems
While there is currently no treatment for the infection, certain precautions can be taken, such as:
- Wash hands thoroughly and frequently with soap and water. This is especially important after handling nappies; before preparing, serving or eating food; after going to the toilet; and after hands have been contaminated with any bodily fluid.
- Avoid kissing children under five on the mouth or cheek. Kiss them on the head or hug them instead.
- Do not share food, drinks or utensils with children under five years old.
- Frequently and thoroughly cleanse surfaces contaminated by body fluids (urine, saliva, blood, faeces, semen, breast milk, tears).
- Pregnant childcare workers can reduce their risk of infection by working only with children who are over 30 months old.
- Avoid kissing or intimate contact with people known to be CMV positive.
Midwife and gentlebirth instructor Tracy Donegan says expectant mothers have a lower immune function so can contract some infections more easily. CMV is relatively rare but there are other infections which can cause problems for unborn babies; the most common being listeria, salmonella and toxoplasmosis.
“Pregnant women can be at risk of passing on infections to their unborn babies and although Listeriosis is rare, even a mild form of the illness can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth or a very sick newborn,” she says.
“Salmonella food poisoning is less likely to harm your baby, but it can give you a severe bout of diarrhoea and vomiting which could mean a hospital admission. Toxoplasmosis is caused by a parasite and is very rare in pregnancy but there are things mums can do to reduce their risks.”
To reduce the risk of getting Listeriosis, drink only pasteurised milk and avoid soft cheese such as Camembert, Brie or blue-veined cheese; however, hard cheese varieties such as Cheddar, cottage cheese and processed cheese like Philadelphia are safe. Avoid eating pâté, homemade mayonnaise or anything that might contain raw or partially cooked eggs. All food should be well cooked.
If you enjoy gardening, be sure to wear gloves if you’re handling soil, and always wash fruit and vegetables before eating (even from your own garden).
If you have a cat, be sure to wear gloves when changing cat litter and wash your hands well after.
“Infections such as chicken pox are not always so simple to avoid as children are contagious before the spots are visible,” says Donegan. “But if you haven’t had it in childhood, being around children who have the virus can be dangerous for your baby especially in the first and early second trimester, when you probably haven’t yet announced your pregnancy.
“If you can’t remember if you had chicken pox, it’ll be in your blood results from your first hospital visit. If you’ve recently been in contact with someone with chicken pox, contact your care provider.
“Another common viral infection that can cause complications is ‘slapped cheek syndrome’. This is very common in children, especially during the winter months, and can cause miscarriage.
“By following simple hand hygiene and sensible food-preparation guidelines, mums can definitely reduce their risk of contracting these infections. But we can’t wrap ourselves in cotton wool for nine months and, ironically, constant worrying reduces our immune defences even more so be sensible, eat nutritious foods and enjoy your pregnancy,” Donegan says.
For more information contact your GP or maternity unit, or the HSE website
