Ascites and Enterocolitis in a Preterm Infant with Acquired CMV Infection: A Case Study and Review of the Literature

Postnatal cytomegalovirus (pCMV) infection is typically asymptomatic in term infants but poses significant risks to very preterm and very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. The primary mode of transmission of pCMV is breast milk from seropositive mothers. Here, we present the case of a 29-week preterm female who contracted pCMV and began to manifest symptoms at day of life (DOL) 50. She developed respiratory compromise, massive ascites, and was extremely ill. The patient was managed with ganciclovir (GCV), intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG), and percutaneous drainage of the ascites. She gradually improved and was discharged after a 5-month neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay. After presenting the case, we review the clinical manifestations of pCMV, and particularly its less well-recognized gastrointestinal manifestations, including ascites. We then outline guidelines for treatment and prevention. Clinicians should consider pCMV in VLBW and extremely premature infants presenting with thrombocytopenia, colitis, or ascites, especially in the second and third months of life.