A prospective study evaluating congenital CMV infection in Mayotte and La Reunion Islands (France)

Abstract : OBJECTIVES Congenital cytomegalovirus infection (cCMV) affects around 3400 newborns each year in France, of whom 700 will develop sequelae, primarily sensorineural hearing loss. Our objectives were (1) to evaluate incidence of cCMV in two French departments located in the Indian Ocean: Mayotte and La Reunion, and (2) evaluate interest and feasibility/acceptability of universal screening of cCMV at birth. MATERIAL AND METHODS We implemented a universal neonatal CMV screening in Mayotte during 7 months in 2019 and in La Reunion during one month in March 2020. Saliva swabs were collected in the first three days of life, and tested for CMV DNA by PCR. A short survey allowed evaluating whether this screening is acceptable and feasible. RESULTS: A total of 1026 newborns were screened: 854 in Mayotte and 172 in La Reunion. In Mayotte, cCMV incidence was evaluated at a minimum of 1.6 % (95 % CI 0.94-2.81). In La Reunion, cCMV incidence was evaluated at a minimum of 1.2 % (95 % CI -0.20-4.57). All cCMV infants were born to mothers with non-primary CMV infection. Only 0.7 % parents refused the screening. CONCLUSIONS cCMV incidence in Mayotte and La Reunion is higher than in metropolitan France. This diagnosis should not be overlooked, especially since the time dedicated to screening and its feeling by the parents seem to be acceptable.