Cytomegalovirus hyperimmune globulin does not lower incidence of composite of congenital CMV infection, perinatal death in offspring<\/em><\/p>\n<\/h3>\n <\/b><\/p>\n <\/b><\/p>\n FRIDAY, July 30, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Administration of cytomegalovirus (CMV) hyperimmune globulin versus placebo to women with primary CMV infection in early pregnancy does not result in a lower incidence of congenital CMV infection or perinatal death in their offspring, according to a study published in the July 29 issue of the New England <\/em>Journal of Medicine<\/em>.<\/p>\n Brenna L. Hughes, M.D., from Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and colleagues conducted a multicenter, double-blind trial, involving pregnant women with primary CMV infection diagnosed before 24 weeks of gestation. A total of 399 women were randomly assigned to receive either a monthly infusion of CMV hyperimmune globulin or matching placebo until delivery.<\/p>\n The trial was stopped early for futility. The researchers found that a primary outcome event occurred in the fetus or neonate of 22.7 and 19.4 percent of women who received hyperimmune globulin and placebo, respectively (relative risk, 1.17; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.80 to 1.72; P = 0.42). No significant differences were seen in rates of death (4.9 and 2.6 percent of fetuses or neonates in the hyperimmune globulin and placebo groups, respectively; relative risk, 1.88; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.66 to 5.41), preterm birth (12.2 and 8.3 percent; relative risk, 1.47; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.81 to 2.67), or birthweight below the fifth percentile (10.3 and 5.4 percent; relative risk, 1.92; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.92 to 3.99).<\/p>\n “These findings contradict the conclusions of observational studies that suggested significant improvement in outcomes with the administration of CMV hyperimmune globulin,” the authors write.<\/p>\n CSL Behring provided the Cytogam and AlbuRx used in this trial.<\/p>\n Abstract\/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)<\/a><\/p>\n <\/i><\/p>\n