Infectious disease pop quiz: Clinical challenge #1 for the ObGyn
Concise Q&As to hone your skills in infectious disease symptoms, diagnostic tests, and treatment in pregnant and nonpregnant women
In this question-and-answer series, our objective is to reinforce for the clinician several practical points of management for common infectious diseases. The principal references for the answers to the questions are 2 textbook chapters written by Dr. Duff.1,2 Other pertinent references are included in the text.
When congenital CMV is suspected, if the patient is at least 15 weeks’ gestation, an amniocentesis should be performed to test for CMV DNA in the amniotic fluid using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methodology. If the initial test is negative, amniocentesis should be repeated in approximately 4 weeks. Coincident with amniocentesis, a detailed ultrasound examination should be performed to search for findings suggestive of fetal injury, such as growth restriction, microcephaly, periventricular calcifications, hepatosplenomegaly, echogenic bowel, and serous effusions in the pleural space or abdomen.