Can you do self-insemination at home ?
When I found out I was expecting my first child, my healthcare provider took the time to discuss essential guidelines to ensure a healthy pregnancy. They went over a series of dos and don’ts, focusing mainly on what I should avoid: alcohol, smoking, sushi, excessive coffee, and deli meats. They outlined the necessary prenatal screenings and regular ultrasounds. However, there was one crucial topic missing from our conversation: Congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV). According to the National CMV Foundation, it is “the most common viral infection and the leading non-genetic cause of hearing loss among infants in the United States.”
Until recently, CMV was unfamiliar to me, and I’m not alone in this. A staggering 91% of women are unaware of CMV, even though over half of the global population (both men and women) will contract the virus by the age of 40. This widespread prevalence, combined with its lack of awareness, prompted Moderna to organize a webinar focused on educating the public about CMV.
Understanding CMV
CMV is a widely prevalent virus that can infect individuals of any age. Once contracted, it remains in the body for life. Most healthy individuals experience no symptoms, and if they do occur, they resemble mild cold-like symptoms. However, for pregnant individuals or those with compromised immune systems, CMV can pose significant risks. “CMV is both common and complex,” explains Dr. Sarah Thompson, VP of Clinical Development at Moderna.
What is Congenital CMV?
When a baby contracts CMV in utero, it is termed Congenital CMV. This condition is the most frequent congenital viral infection in the United States, affecting around 30,000 children each year. While many newborns with Congenital CMV appear healthy at birth, about 20% will develop lasting health issues—approximately 6,000 children annually—with as many as 400 infant fatalities each year, according to the National CMV Foundation.
The National CMV Foundation outlines several possible birth defects and developmental challenges associated with Congenital CMV, including:
- Hearing loss (the leading non-genetic cause of hearing impairment)
- Vision impairment
- Intellectual disabilities
- Microcephaly (small head or brain)
- Intracranial calcifications
- Coordination issues
- Cerebral palsy
- Feeding difficulties / Failure to thrive (FTT)
- Sleep, behavioral, and sensory challenges
- Seizures
- Death (in rare instances)
How Can CMV Be Prevented?
Corinne Le Goff, Chief Commercial Officer at Moderna, emphasizes that “awareness is the first step toward effective change.” Therefore, recognizing the existence of CMV is the initial step in prevention. In 2020, over 400 million pregnancy-related searches were conducted, but only three million mentioned CMV. This indicates that less than one percent of pregnancy inquiries related to a virus that is the leading cause of birth defects in the U.S.
The next step is to educate yourself on how to safeguard against CMV, especially if you are of childbearing age, pregnant, or considering pregnancy. The National CMV Foundation serves as an invaluable resource, dedicated to “empowering women to prioritize their health before CMV affects their lives and their families,” according to Khalid Roberts, MPH, MCHES, Executive Director of the Foundation. Dr. Lisa Anderson, MD, MS, FAAP, President Elect of the National CMV Foundation and a mother of a toddler with congenital CMV, encourages women to inform their healthcare providers about CMV.
Hygiene practices are also critical in preventing CMV infection, particularly for those with toddlers at home or those working in daycare or educational settings. In the U.S., nearly one in three children are infected with CMV by age five. Therefore, hand hygiene is crucial since toddlers often show no symptoms of infection.
It’s especially important to wash your hands after changing diapers, wiping a child’s mouth or nose, and handling toys or pacifiers. CMV spreads primarily through direct and prolonged contact with bodily fluids such as saliva, urine, and breast milk—not through casual contact.
Raising awareness, educating ourselves, and taking preventive measures are vital for both current and future generations. Dr. Thompson underscores this point: “We owe it to future families to be informed about this issue and the disease.” While CMV is common and concerning, it is also preventable. Moderna is currently developing an mRNA vaccine to prevent CMV infection, which may one day eliminate it. Until then, staying informed is key. As the saying goes, knowledge is power.
For more insights, you can check out this blog post here or learn more about the topic from this authority. For those interested in genetics and IVF, this resource is highly recommended.
Summary
CMV is a prevalent virus that poses significant risks to pregnant individuals and their babies, potentially leading to serious health issues like hearing loss and developmental delays. Awareness and education are crucial for prevention, particularly for those of childbearing age. Good hygiene practices, especially around young children, can help reduce the risk of infection. Ongoing research, including the development of a CMV vaccine, offers hope for future prevention.