Identifying Key Predictors of Neurodevelopmental Sequelae Absence at 12 Months in Infants with Congenital CMV: Insights from a Single-Center Retrospective Study

Abstract

Highlights What are the main findings? Normal neutrophil count at birth is associated with the absence of neurodevelopmental sequalae at 12 months of age in children with congenital CMV infection. Normal audiological assessment at birth is associated with the absence of neurodevelopmental sequalae at 12 months of age in children with congenital CMV infection. What are the implications of the main findings? The results of our study highlight new potential predictive factors for normal neurodevelopmental outcome in children with congenital CMV infection. It is necessary that newborns with congenital CMV infection undergo an extensive assessment at birth in order to properly evaluate all potential neurodevelopmental predictive factors and therefore improve clinical management. Abstract Background: Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is the most frequent infective cause of morbidity and long-term sequelae in infancy. Despite great attention to this clinical condition, potential prognostic factors for neurodevelopmental sequelae in cCMV patients are poorly understood, therefore hampering optimization of clinical care and management of cCMV patients. Methods: A retrospective single-center cohort study was conducted on 66 infants with congenital CMV infection in order to identify among clinical presentation at birth potential predictors of the absence of neurodevelopmental sequelae at 12 months of age. A logistic regression model was built in order to identify a correlation between potential predictors and neurodevelopmental status at one year of age in the cohort in the study. Results: The results of our study showed a significant correlation between normal neutrophil count and normal audiological assessment at birth in a logistic regression model (p < 0.05) in patients with cCMV with the absence of neurodevelopmental sequelae at M12. Our findings also underlined that normal platelet count and normal cerebral imaging are connected with normal neurodevelopment at one year of age, though not in a statistically significant way. Conclusions: Our findings underscore the need for appropriate assessment at birth in order to improve clinical management of cCMV patients.