Transcriptomic and Immunological signatures associated with Neurodevelopmental outcomes in Infants with Congenital Cytomegalovirus. (TINI-CC)

Research summary

Cytomegalovirus (CMV), the international leading cause of neurodevelopmental impairment from infection acquired during pregnancy, is estimated to affect over 4200 babies and cost over £750 million each year in the UK. CMV is a common virus usually causing mild infection in healthy individuals, however CMV can cause serious disease if it affects a baby during pregnancy. Only the most severely affected cases of CMV acquired in pregnancy tend to be identified by healthcare professionals because there is currently no screening for this condition. Approximately 300 CMV-infected infants may be missed or diagnosed late due to non-specific signs and symptoms; and an estimated 500 infants do not initially have symptoms but develop poor outcomes including hearing impairment, behavioural problems, social, communication and learning difficulties. These children therefore do not receive timely antiviral treatment that could prevent these outcomes. Many healthcare professionals and activists advocate screening, however approximately 70% of CMV-infected infants do not have any short or long-term effects, which is why newborn screening for CMV is currently not done. Our research aims to further the understanding of why some infants are more severely affected by CMV than others, and to identify markers in the blood of CMV infection that will help predict which infants will have poor neurodevelopmental outcomes, and therefore who will most likely benefit from early antiviral treatment. This information could endorse a national newborn screening programme in a two-stage approach: initially identification of CMV-infection, and secondly identification of who would benefit from treatment. A critical component of early treatment is the development of tools and strategies to diagnose CMV-infection and this study will contribute to the development of two investigations to assist early diagnosis. This study will also examine whether interventional clinical psychology can support and improve the lives of children and their families affected by CMV.

Principal Investigator

Dr Simon Drysdale

Contact us

Email: childrensresearch@ouh.nhs.uk

IRAS number

302667