Growth and cognitive outcome in very preterm infants with postnatal cytomegalovirus infection

Introduction There are conflicting data on the association between postnatal cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and growth and cognitive outcome in very preterm infants. The aim of the current study was to systematically evaluate the effect of postnatal CMV infection on growth and cognitive outcome in an unselected, contemporary cohort of very preterm infants. Methods Infants <32 gestational weeks (2011-2018) were screened for postnatal CMV infection. We compared head circumference, weight and length from birth to three months corrected age, mental development at 12 and 24 months corrected age (Bayley Scales of Infant (Toddler) Development II/III) and intelligence quotient at five years (Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children-II, Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-III or Snijders-Oomen Non-verbal Intelligence Test) between infants with and without postnatal CMV infection. Results The final study cohort consisted of 431 infants with a median gestational age of 29.9 (23.7-31.9) weeks. Of these, 20 (4.6%) infants had a postnatal CMV infection. Median ∆ z scores from birth to the corrected age of three months for head circumference, weight and length did not differ between infants with and without postnatal CMV infection. Continuous and categorized parameters of cognitive development did not differ between the two groups. A subgroup analysis of infants <28 gestational weeks showed similar results. Conclusion We did not observe a negative effect of postnatal CMV infection on growth or cognitive development of very preterm infants. These findings should be taken into account when discussing the use of raw mother's milk in the feeding of preterm infants.