A Case Report on Congenital Cytomegalovirus

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common congenital infection worldwide and in the United States. The majority of healthy adults who acquire CMV infections have few symptoms and no long-term consequences, though this is not the case for certain groups, including neonates infected in utero. This infection can lead to permanent sequelae, including death. Despite this, congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is not well known among women of childbearing age. Women are more informed about neural tube defects, fetal alcohol syndrome, Down syndrome, and toxoplasmosis than they are about cCMV, although these pose less threat to the newborn. This is a case of a newborn presenting with petechiae, thrombocytopenia, and direct hyperbilirubinemia due to cCMV infection. The initial diagnosis was congenital sepsis, not cCMV. This case report highlights the importance of including a TORCH (toxoplasmosis, others, such as syphilis, rubella, CMV, and herpes) panel when considering abnormal neonatal findings. Diagnosing cCMV is critical, especially because untreated infection can cause permanent sequelae, including death.