Guide To The Causes And Risk Factors Linked To Cerebral Palsy

Cytomegalovirus

Cytomegalovirus is a viral infection that can impact individuals of all ages. Although most patients do not have any symptoms, pregnant women who contract this infection could transmit it to their unborn baby. Exposure to the virus increases the baby's risk of developing cerebral palsy, and it can also result in premature birth and low birth weight. Newborns who have contracted cytomegalovirus could have an enlarged liver, jaundice, an enlarged spleen, and small head size (microcephaly). These signs typically occur at birth, though some infants may develop symptoms years after exposure. Late symptoms usually include hearing loss and developmental delays, and some infants could have vision problems. If a pregnant woman tests positive for cytomegalovirus, doctors typically perform an amniocentesis test to determine whether the infection has been passed to the unborn baby. Newborns who display symptoms of cytomegalovirus need to be tested for this condition within the first three weeks of life. Newborns with this virus are given antiviral medications, and other treatments may be given depending on the severity of the infection.

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