Unusual cerebral intraventricular hemorrhage and cardiomyopathy related to congenital cytomegalovirus from non-primary maternal infection: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection, resulting from non-primary maternal infection or reactivation during pregnancy, can cause serious fetal abnormalities, complications in the immediate neonatal period, and severe sequelae later in childhood. Maternal non-primary cytomegalovirus infection in pregnancy is transmitted to the fetus in 0.5-2% of cases (1). CASE PRESENTATION: An African full term male newbornwas delivered by emergency caesarean section. Due to signs of asphyxia at birth and clinical moderate encephalopathy, he underwent therapeutic hypothermia. Continuous full video-electroencephalography monitoring showed no seizures during the first 72 h, however, soon after rewarming, he presented refractory status epilepticus due to an intracranial hemorrhage, related to severe thrombocytopenia. The patient also presented signs of sepsis (hypotension and signs of reduced perfusions). An echocardiography revealed severe cardiac failure with an ejection fraction of 33% and signs suggestive of cardiomyopathy. Research for CMV DNA Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) on urine, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and nasopharyngeal secretions was positive.The mother had positive CMV IgG with negative IgM shortly before pregnancy. Serology for CMV was therefore not repeated during pregnancy, but CMV DNA performed on the Guthrie bloodspot taken at birth yielded a positive result, confirming the intrauterine transmission and congenital origin of the infection. The baby was discharged in good general condition and follow up showed a normal neurodevelopmental outcome at 9 months. CONCLUSION: Although uncommon, congenital cytomegalovirus infection should be included in the differential diagnosis of intraventricular hemorrhage and cardiomyopathy. Furthermore, this case highlights the possible severity of congenital cytomegalovirus infection, even in cases of previous maternal immunity.

Implementation of Delayed Cord Clamping for 3 Min During Term Cesarean Sections Does Not Influence Maternal Blood Loss.

Background: To assess maternal safety outcomes after a local protocol adjustment to change the interval of cord clamping to 3 min after term cesarean section. Design, Setting, and Patients: A retrospective cohort study in a tertiary referral hospital (Erasmus MC, Rotterdam). We included pregnant women who gave birth at term after cesarean section. A cohort (Nov 2016-Oct 2017) prior to the protocol implementation was compared to a cohort after its implementation (Nov 2017-Nov 2018). The study population covered 789 women (n = 376 pre-cohort; n = 413 post-cohort). Interventions: Implementation of a local protocol changing the interval of cord clamping to 3 min in all term births. Main outcome measures: Primary outcomes were the estimated maternal blood loss and the occurrence of postpartum hemorrhage (blood loss >1,000 ml). Secondary outcomes included both maternal as well as neonatal outcomes. Results: Estimated maternal blood loss was not significantly different between the pre-cohort and post-cohort (400 mL [300-600] vs. 400 mL [300-600], p = 0.52). The incidence of postpartum hemorrhage (26 [6.9%] vs. 35 (8.5%), OR 1.24, 95% CI 0.73-2.11) and maternal blood transfusion (9 [2%] vs. 13 (3%), OR 1.33, 95% CI 0.56-3.14) were not different. Hemoglobin change was significantly higher in the post-cohort (-0.8 mmol/L [-1.3 to -0.5] vs. -0.9 mmol/L [-1.4 to -0.6], p = 0.01). In the post-cohort, neonatal hematocrit levels were higher (51 vs. 55%, p = 0.004) and need for phototherapy was increased (OR 1.95, 95% CI 0.99-3.84). Conclusion: Implementation of delayed cord clamping for 3 min in term cesarean sections was not associated with increased maternal bleeding complications.