Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40065261›Full record

ArticleBMC pediatrics2025

Congenital cytomegalovirus in eastern Uganda: prevalence and outcomes.

Noela Regina Akwi Okalany, Ingunn Marie S Engebretsen, David Mukunya, Martin Chebet, Francis Okello, Andrew D Weeks, Edrin Mwanda, Rita Muhindo, Fred Bisso, Thorkild Tylleskär and 2 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC pediatrics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Trial
  2. Trial
  3. Article
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Noela Regina Akwi OkalanyCentre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway. n.okalany@gmail.com.
Ingunn Marie S EngebretsenCentre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
David MukunyaDepartment of Community and Public Health, Busitema University, Mbale, Uganda.
Martin ChebetCentre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
Francis OkelloCentre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
Andrew D WeeksSanyu Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool, L8 7SS, UK.
Edrin MwandaMbale Clinical Research Institute, Mbale, Uganda.
Rita MuhindoMbale Clinical Research Institute, Mbale, Uganda.
Fred BissoMbale Regional Referral Hospital, Mbale, Uganda.
Thorkild TylleskärCentre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
Peter Olupot-OlupotDepartment of Community and Public Health, Busitema University, Mbale, Uganda.
Kathy BurgoineCentre for International Health, Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.

Funding

The European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership RIA2017MC-2029
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCytomegalovirus (CMV) infection poses risks to both maternal and neonatal health, however there are limited comprehensive data on congenital CMV in low-resource settings where the virus is widespread, particularly among women of reproductive age. Our research in eastern Uganda aimed to assess the prevalence of congenital CMV and outcomes among infants to inform public health policies and interventions in similar settings, addressing a significant gap in current knowledge.

methodsWe conducted a descriptive study, nested within the BabyGel Trial, across Mbale and Budaka districts in eastern Uganda, between May 2023 and January 2024. Infants underwent saliva sampling within the first week of life, which was validated through urine polymerase chain reaction testing within the first 21 days of life. At three months of age, a cranial ultrasound examination, neurological examination, developmental evaluation, and audiological assessment were conducted for all infants diagnosed with congenital CMV infection. Statistical analyses were performed using Stata 17.0.

resultsCongenital CMV infection was found in 5 out of 1,265 newborns tested, indicating a prevalence of 0.4% (95% CI: 0.16 to 0.96). Of these 5 infected infants, two experienced febrile illness at birth and required hospitalisation within the first week of life, and three had findings on ultrasound examination consistent with congenital cytomegalovirus during the neonatal period. Audiologic follow-up until three months of age revealed that three infants had failed unilateral and bilateral hearing screening. Neurodevelopment assessments using the Malawi Development Assessment Tool fell within optimal ranges for all 5 infants; however, when evaluated using the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination, four infants scored below optimal levels.

conclusionOur community-based study revealed a low prevalence of congenital CMV infection. Further longitudinal multi-site research is needed to assess the generalisability of these findings. Also, long-term follow-up of children is crucial to understanding the outcomes and sequelae of infected infants to inform prevention strategies, targeted interventions and scalable screening frameworks in resource-limited settings.

Indexed as

Cytomegalovirus InfectionsCytomegalovirusFemaleHumansInfantInfant, NewbornMalePregnancyPrevalenceUgandaCongenitalCytomegalovirusHearingLow-resource settingNeurodevelopmentPrevalenceUganda

Identifiers

PMID40065261
PMCPMC11895346

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.