Cytomegalovirus Seroprevalence in the United States: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 1988–2004

BACKGROUND. Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection causes permanent disabilities in more than 5500 children each year in the United States. The likelihood of congenital infection and disability is highest for infants whose mothers were CMV seronegative before conception and who acquire infection during pregnancy. METHODS. To provide a current, nationally representative estimate of the seroprevalence of CMV in the United States and to investigate trends in CMV infection, serum samples from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2004 were tested for CMV-specific immunoglobulin G antibody, and results were compared with those from NHANES III (1988-1994). Individuals aged 6-49 years…

• UD
  U.S. Department of Energy
• G
  GlaxoSmithKline
• CF
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Foundation
• OR
  Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
• NC
  National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
• NC
  National Center for Health Statistics