The study by Fowler et al. (1992) investigates the outcomes of congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in relation to maternal antibody status. The research compares infants born to mothers with primary CMV infection during pregnancy (primary-infection group) and those born to mothers with immunity (recurrent-infection group). The study followed 125 infants from the primary-infection group and 64 from the recurrent-infection group, assessing their medical, audiologic, psychometric, and eye health over a mean follow-up period of 4.7 years. Key findings include: - Only infants in the primary-infection group had symptomatic CMV infection at birth (18%). - After follow-up, 25% of the primary-infection group and 8% of the recurrent-infection group exhibited one or more sequelae. - Mental impairment (IQ ≤70) was observed in 13% of infants whose mothers had primary infection, compared to none in those with recurrent infections. - Sensorineural hearing loss was found in 15% of the primary-infection group and 5% of the recurrent-infection group. - Bilateral hearing loss was identified only in the primary-infection group (8%). The study concludes that maternal antibody to CMV before conception provides substantial protection against severe congenital CMV infection in newborns. Primary maternal infection during pregnancy is associated with more severe sequelae. These findings highlight the importance of maternal immunity in preventing harmful outcomes from CMV infection.The study by Fowler et al. (1992) investigates the outcomes of congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in relation to maternal antibody status. The research compares infants born to mothers with primary CMV infection during pregnancy (primary-infection group) and those born to mothers with immunity (recurrent-infection group). The study followed 125 infants from the primary-infection group and 64 from the recurrent-infection group, assessing their medical, audiologic, psychometric, and eye health over a mean follow-up period of 4.7 years. Key findings include: - Only infants in the primary-infection group had symptomatic CMV infection at birth (18%). - After follow-up, 25% of the primary-infection group and 8% of the recurrent-infection group exhibited one or more sequelae. - Mental impairment (IQ ≤70) was observed in 13% of infants whose mothers had primary infection, compared to none in those with recurrent infections. - Sensorineural hearing loss was found in 15% of the primary-infection group and 5% of the recurrent-infection group. - Bilateral hearing loss was identified only in the primary-infection group (8%). The study concludes that maternal antibody to CMV before conception provides substantial protection against severe congenital CMV infection in newborns. Primary maternal infection during pregnancy is associated with more severe sequelae. These findings highlight the importance of maternal immunity in preventing harmful outcomes from CMV infection.