Congenital cytomegalovirus infection: clinical findings and outcome in patients from a tertiary paediatric hospital in Florianópolis

Introduction: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a widely disseminated virus, capable of remaining latent and reactivating, with high global seroprevalence. In Brazil, seroprevalence exceeds 95%, with primary infections predominating in childhood. Objective: To describe the clinical profile at birth and outcome at 12 months of age of patients diagnosed with congenital cytomegalovirus infection in a reference pediatric hospital in Florianópolis from 2017 to 2022. Methods: This was a retrospective, observational and descriptive study with secondary data analysis. The research was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee. Results: Of the 20 cases included in the study, 12 (60%) were female and all were white coloured. 14/17 (82.3%) of the cases were full-term births and 14/16 (87.5%) had a low birth weight for gestational age. Jaundice was identified in 7/13 (53.8%), microcephaly in 5/18 (27.7%), conjugated hyperbilirubinemia in 5/8 (62.5%) and intracranial calcifications in 9/20 (45%) records. 6/20 (30%) cases failed the neonatal hearing screening and 5/20 (25%) presented bilateral loss of brainstem auditory evoked potential. At 12 months of age, bilateral hearing loss and microcephaly were found in 5/8 (62.5%) and 7/13 (53.8%) cases respectively. Conclusion: Low birth weight for gestational age, jaundice and microcephaly were prevalent changes. Intracranial calcifications were the most common neuroimaging finding. Important late sequelae were present at 12 months of age.