Surgical complications due to postnatal cytomegalovirus infection in a preterm infant with malrotation

• Published in: Pediatrics international Vol. 57; no. 5; pp. 993 - 995
• Main Authors: Torregrossa, Anaïs, Reinberg, Olivier, Alamo, Leonor, Sarro, Rosella, Meylan, Pascal, Roth‐Kleiner, Matthias
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Australia Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-10-2015
• Subjects: Babies; Breast Feeding - adverse effects; Breastfeeding & lactation; Cytomegalovirus; Cytomegalovirus - genetics; Cytomegalovirus Infections - etiology; Cytomegalovirus Infections - virology; Digestive System Abnormalities - surgery; Digestive System Surgical Procedures - adverse effects; DNA, Viral - analysis; ganciclovir; Gestational Age; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; Infant, Premature, Diseases; Infections; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; intestinal malformation; Intestinal Volvulus - surgery; Male; Milk, Human - virology; Pediatrics; postnatal CMV infection; Premature birth; prematurity; Surgical Wound Infection - etiology; Surgical Wound Infection - virology; postnatal CMV infection; intestinal malformation; prematurity; ganciclovir; cytomegalovirus
• ISSN: 1328-8067; 1442-200X
• DOI: 10.1111/ped.12675

We report a case of an extremely preterm infant with intestinal malrotation who contracted postnatal systemic cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection with a complicated intestinal evolution requiring repeated surgical interventions and antiviral treatment. This report is to emphasize that prolonged gastrointestinal symptoms in extremely preterm infants fed with non‐pasteurized breast milk should lead to suspicion of CMV infection. The importance of preventive measures when feeding very preterm infants with breast milk needs to be considered. Furthermore, the indications for antiviral treatment, in particular in preterm infants, need to be clarified.