Cytomegalovirus (policy currently under review)
The UK NSC policy on cytomegalovirus screening in pregnancy
More Information
Cytomegalovirus (the large cell virus) is a common virus and about fifty per cent of the population of Britain have been infected with it at some time. Frequently the infection passes unnoticed or there may be mild flu-like symptoms. The virus belongs to the herpes family, which includes the chicken-pox, cold sore and glandular fever viruses. Once infection has taken place, the virus remains dormant within the body, usually with no ill effects. However, recurrences of the virus in body fluids may occur at intervals.
In the UK about forty per cent of women are susceptible to CMV at the time of pregnancy. The main risk is when women catch the viral infection for the first time in pregnancy. Women are usually only mildly unwell with a sore throat and flu-like illness. The chance of the baby becoming infected is about forty per cent. Over ninety per cent of infected babies have no signs of anything wrong at birth.
» Read more about cytomegalovirus on the Contact a Family website
Policy Position
Screening should not be offered.
When replying to the current consultation, please use the comments form that you can download at the bottom of this page.
This policy is currently being reviewed as part of the UK NSC's regular review cycle of all policies.
The review process began in Mar 2011 and is estimated to be completed by Mar 2012.
The consultation on the expert review has now finished but you can still download the document here:
» Download the expert review for Cytomegalovirus (PDF document, 117KB)
The UK NSC will consider the review and any submissions made during the consultation period to reach a final policy decision. The decision will be available on this website when it is available.
Evidence Supporting the Policy
National Collaborating Centre for Women’s and Children’s Health. Commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Antenatal care: routine care for the healthy pregnant woman. CG62: full guidance. March 2008 (corrected June 2008).
See p193 (in Chapter 10 Screening for infections ) of this guideline for the section on cytomegalovirus.
Stakeholders
Health Protection Agency
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
The stakeholder groups will be involved when the policy is next reviewed. If you think your organisation should be added, please contact us.
Related documents
Antenatal and newborn screening for cytomegalovirus (2000) (PDF document, 51KB, 27/05/11)Consultation submission comments form (Word document, 48KB, 20/12/11)
