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Italian Journal of Pediatrics
Published in: Italian Journal of Pediatrics 1/2011

Open Access 01-12-2011 | Case report

Breastfeeding and transmission of cytomegalovirus to preterm infants. Case report and kinetic of CMV-DNA in breast milk

Authors: Manuela Chiavarini, Patrizia Bragetti, Alessandra Sensini, Elio Cenci, Roberto Castronari, Marta J Rossi, Ambra Fantauzzi, Liliana Minelli

Published in: Italian Journal of Pediatrics | Issue 1/2011

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Abstract

Background

Breastfeeding has a major impact on CMV epidemiology. Postnatal CMV reactivation's incidence during lactation is nearby the maternal seroprevalence. Although perinatal CMV infection has practically no consequences in term newborn, it may cause, in some cases, a severe symptomatic disease in preterm newborns.
The aims of the present study are to evaluate the rate and clinical expression of CMV infection breast milk transmitted in preterm infants and to check the safety of the freezing treated breast milk.

Methods

The study included fifty-seven preterm infants and their CMV seropositive mothers. Fresh breast milk samples have been collected from 1st to 9th postpartum week. Both fresh breast milk and 72, 96, 120 hours frozen samples have been examined, checking the presence of CMV; urine samples have been tested too.

Results

70.2% of tested mothers showed reactivation of the infection, and CMV-positive breast milk during the six weeks postpartum has been found. However, only one infant was infected by CMV, developing hepatic affection concomitantly with a multi-system involvement, as shown CMV DNA detection in urine, saliva, blood, gastric aspirate, and stools.

Conclusion

Freezing breast milk at -20°C and pasteurization may respectively reduce or eliminate the viral load.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Breastfeeding and transmission of cytomegalovirus to preterm infants. Case report and kinetic of CMV-DNA in breast milk
Authors
Manuela Chiavarini
Patrizia Bragetti
Alessandra Sensini
Elio Cenci
Roberto Castronari
Marta J Rossi
Ambra Fantauzzi
Liliana Minelli
Publication date
01-12-2011
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Italian Journal of Pediatrics / Issue 1/2011
Electronic ISSN: 1824-7288
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1824-7288-37-6

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