Key result
The overall cytomegalovirus seroprevalence among pregnant women in Singapore was 71.7%, indicating a decline from previous decades and leaving over a quarter of women at risk for primary infection.
Cross-Sectional (n=385)
No
p-value: p=<0.001
CMV seroprevalence among pregnant women in Singapore is 71.7%, indicating a substantial portion remains at risk for primary infection during pregnancy.
Declining CMV seroprevalence signals rising primary infection risk in Singaporean pregnancies; leaves open whether screening or prevention strategies warrant reevaluation.
BACKGROUND: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common congenital infection in pregnancy with potential long-term adverse effects on the fetus. There is limited data on CMV seroprevalence in pregnant women in Singapore, with last reported study dating back over two decades. We look at the latest CMV seroprevalence in antenatal population in Singapore. METHODS: Between January 2021 and August 2021, 385 pregnant women receiving antenatal care at Singapore General Hospital were randomly selected for CMV IgG test to be performed on their blood samples collected during the first trimester of their pregnancies. Positivity for CMV IgG represents past exposure prior to pregnancy. RESULTS: Overall CMV seroprevalence was 71.7% (276/385) (95% CI 067, 0.76, p value < 0.001). The trend of CMV IgG positivity increased with age, 68.3% (95% CI 0.60, 0.76, p value < 0.001) in those aged 20-29, 72.5% (95% CI 0.66, 0.78, p value < 0.001) in the 30-39 age group, and 79.0% (95% CI 0.67, 0.76, p value 0.012) in women over 40. CONCLUSIONS: There is a declining trend in CMV seroprevalence among pregnant women in Singapore, which indicates that a substantial portion of this population faces the risk of primary maternal CMV infection during pregnancy. Emerging research suggests that prenatal treatment with valacyclovir effectively reduces the likelihood of vertical transmission. Considering this evidence, it is imperative to reevaluate the recommendations for universal maternal CMV screening during pregnancy.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Partana et al. (2024) conducted a cross-sectional in Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in pregnancy (n=385). Cytomegalovirus (CMV) exposure vs. Unexposed (CMV IgG negative) was evaluated on Overall CMV seroprevalence (CMV IgG positivity) (95% CI 0.67-0.76, p=<0.001). The overall cytomegalovirus seroprevalence among pregnant women in Singapore was 71.7%, indicating a decline from previous decades and leaving over a quarter of women at risk for primary infection.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: