Cytomegalovirus Infection in Infants: A Case Series on Varied Clinical Manifestations

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common cause of congenital infection, presenting a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations and varying grades of severity. In the neonatal period, CMV infection may manifest as jaundice, hepatosplenomegaly, petechiae, microcephaly, and chorioretinitis. Nonetheless, congenital CMV infection may be asymptomatic in 90% of infants at birth. Late diagnosis of congenital infection can significantly affect the quality of life for children due to neurodevelopmental delays and sensorineural hearing loss. Globally, people are more informed about neural tube defects, foetal alcohol syndrome, and toxoplasmosis than about congenital CMV, even though congenital CMV infection poses a greater threat to newborns. Hence, understanding the clinical manifestations and treatment modalities for CMV infection is paramount for effective management and prevention strategies. In this case series, the authors present seven cases of congenital CMV infection, with presentations varying from cirrhosis to subarachnoid haemorrhage, aiming to shed light on the varied clinical presentations, diagnostic challenges, and management strategies for CMV infections in infants.