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Abstract
This commentary highlights and discusses the implications of a number of recent studies
that refine epidemiologic knowledge of CMV infection and assess awareness of congenital
CMV among clinicians and the public. These studies highlight that: (1) congenital
CMV results in a disease burden that is substantial and severe; (2) a high proportion
of United States women of reproductive age are susceptible to CMV infection; (3) the
majority of congenital CMV infections in the United States result from recurrent infections
among pregnant women; (4) CMV seroprevalence and seroincidence are much higher among
racial/ethnic minorities and persons of lower socioeconomic status (SES); (5) household
transmission of CMV appears to be an important transmission route in the United States;
(6) sexual transmission of CMV appears to be an important transmission route in some
population sub-groups in the United States; (7) women have limited awareness and knowledge
about congenital CMV; (8) most obstetrician/gynecologists do not counsel women about
prevention of congenital CMV; (9) most women view CMV prevention messages positively.