Early clinical manifestations and intellectual outcome in children with symptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus infection

J Pediatr. 1987 Sep;111(3):343-8. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(87)80451-1.

Abstract

The Developmental Profile was completed on 32 prospectively followed children with symptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus infection (mean age 6 7/12 years; 78% white, 59% male). The distribution of intelligence and general developmental scores was bimodal; one group had severe deficits (mean IQ 28.8), the other had relatively less severe intellectual sequelae (mean IQ 91.6). Correlation analysis (Pearson r) showed that three variables--microcephaly, neurologic abnormalities, and chorioretinitis--when apparent during the first year of life, were all significantly associated with low intelligence. No correlation was found between IQ and severity of neonatal reticuloendothelial disease or hearing loss. Multiple regression analysis showed that age at testing, chorioretinitis, and neurologic sequelae accounted for 63% of the IQ variance in our sample. We conclude that children with symptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus infection have a greater range of intellectual outcomes than has been previously reported, and that certain early clinical manifestations may be useful in anticipating special needs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / congenital*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / psychology
  • Developmental Disabilities / diagnosis*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Intelligence Tests
  • Intelligence*
  • Male
  • Prospective Studies
  • Psychological Tests
  • Regression Analysis