ABSTRACT

We aimed to remind that postnatal CMV infection should be suspected in preterm infants who developed sepsis later than fist 3 weeks of life.

Both of our cases were premature infants weighing less than 1000 g and born with ceaserean section. Since both of the mothers did not have breast milk, infants were fed with premature formula. They were transfused with erythrocyte suspension more than once. The first case has developed feeding intolerance and splenomegaly, the second case had increased oxygen demand and invasive mechanical ventilation support at the end of the second month of life. Laboratory findings showed cholestasis, thrombocytopenia, elevated transaminases and acute phase reactants. Blood CMV IgM and CMV DNA PCR were positive in both cases. Ganciclovir treatment was started. The first case had improvement in clinical and laboratory findings in 2 weeks, the second case had improvement in 6th week of the treatment. None of the patiens developed neurological sequelae or hearing loss.

Postnatal CMV (cytomegalovirus) infection in the premature infants is most often transmitted with infected breast milk. The other routes of transmission are blood transfusion and genital secretions. Diagnosis is made by PCR or viral culture of urine, blood, or other body secretions after the first 3 weeks of life. It is mostly asymptomatic in term infants. CMV infection may cause sepsis and many clinical signs in premature infants. There are a few reports of premature infants with CMV sepsis in the literature.