Seroprevalence of Cytomegalovirus infection among pregnant women in some selected hospitals in Lokoja Metropolis, Kogi State, Nigeria

Cytomegalovirus is one of the most common viruses which causes congenital defects in babies from infected mothers. Sensoneural hearing loss (SNHL) and neurodevelopmental delay are typical occurrences in childhood resulting from congenital defects which presents no symptoms at birth. The aim of this study was to determine the cytomegalovirus IgM infection among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at KSSH and FMC in Lokoja metropolis, Kogi State, Nigeria. A total of 184 serum samples were collected and analyzed using CMV IgM ELISA kit diagnostic Automation, INC (USA). The study revealed that out of the 184 samples collected, 40 turned out positive for CMV IgM antibodies giving a prevalence of 21.7% while the negative sample result had a prevalence of 78.3%. a total of 92 samples each was collected from both hospitals; KSSH had 30 CMV IgM positive samples having a percentage 32.6% and FMC with 10 CMV IgM having a percentage of 10.86%. Based on the research, there was no significant association between the risk factors such as marital status, type of marriage, occupation and scarification related to the infection. This could be due to the limited number in sample size. Other socio-economic factors that had statistical significant p value with the infection were education (0.035), hand wash (0.027) and previous history of blood transfusion (0.003). The study has shown the need for sensitization of the populace especially to pregnant women, the need for constant and proper personal hygienic practices be done to reduce the risk of infection and possibly stop its transmission to fetus. In addition, inclusion of screening for cytomegalovirus antibodies among blood donors may be useful tool in preventing transmission of cytomegalovirus to blood recipients.