2.  Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the commonest among viral infections during perinatal period that cause congenital infections  Seroprevalence in pregnant women ranges from 45% to 100%.  Its clinical manifestations range from asymptomatic forms to severe foetal damage  It is transmitted from person-to-person via close non-sexual contact, sexual activity, breastfeeding, blood transfusions, and organ transplantation.

3.  Studies of CMV during pregnancy have not been conducted in pregnant women in this region.  Increased evidence of pregnancy complications and congenital malformations  Caring for these children with congenital problems is a challenging task.

4.  No surveillance framework done among pregnant women in Kenya  Significance and impact of CMV.  CMV infection during pregnancy poses a 30% to 40% risk of intrauterine transmission

5.  h1-Cytomegalovirus infection is high among Pregnant women attending Thika Hospitals.  hΦ-Social demographic factors are not significant in CMV transmission and infection among pregnant women

6. objectives  To determine the prevalence of CMV among pregnant women  To determine the number of acute and chronic CMV cases.  To establish the level of active and protective CMV antibodies in the pregnant women.  To determine the social demographic characteristics among study participants

7. Inclusion criteria:  Pregnant women attending the ante natal clinic of Thika Hospitals.  Pregnant women in their first or second trimester of pregnancy.  Pregnant women in the age group of 16-45 years Exclusion criteria  Pregnant women in their third trimester  Pregnant women not sure of their gestational period.

8.  The study was carried out to show the importance of CMV testing in pregnant women.  Identify the groups at risk

9.  Consenting pregnant women filled a questionnaire to obtain socio-demographic data  A 5ml blood specimen was obtained for each subject.  Quantitative analysis for CMV antibodies(IgG and IgM) was performed using ELISA.  Avidity testing was carried out on samples having both antibodies.

10. serostatus f % IgG15860.8% IgM103.8% both5420.8% none3814.6%

11. avidity indexParticipants(n)% <35%1120.37 >35%4379.63 Total54100.0

12. variable participants (%)IgM (%)IgG (%)total(%)p value Age group: 16-20 12 19.4 70.9 90.3 21-25221222.2634.26 26-303813.6881.0594.730.001* 31-35253.785.1988.89 36-40922.2255.5677.78 41-4561090100 marital status: single24.3913.657.671.2 married64.617.28289.20.001* divorced10.39096.3 parity: none4510.3565.575.85 one to four53.085.887.793.50.0006* >four13.59066.7 education none1.20100 primary4.62066.786.7 secondary30.411.473.484.80.014* tertiary63.84.879.584.3

13.  Out of 260 pregnant women, 201 (77.3%) were CMV IgG and 21(8.1%) having IgM.  Marital status (OR = 3.7533, 95% CI =3.0231- 6.9631, P < 0.0001), parity (OR = 3.7533, 95% CI = 3.0231-6.9631, P < 0.0001),education (OR = 3.7533, 95% CI = 3.0231-6.9631, P < 0.0001), history of blood transfusion (OR = 0.0374, 95% CI = 0.00120-0.1168, OR = 0.3804) were found to significantly influence seropostivity in univariate analysis.

14.  Findings in this study indicate high prevalence of CMV (85%) among women in Thika. It agrees with previous investigation reported in Nigeria which was at 87%.  women who were married, not educated, aged or with high parity, were found to be at higher risk for CMV infection  These factors increased susceptibility to acquisition of CMV infection.

15.  The prevalence of CMV is high  There is significant relationship between CMV prevalence and social demographic information  The level of chronic infection is higher than acute infection  Protective antibodies were higher than active antibodies

16.  A follow up study is necessary.  Further studies be carried out on the different strains of CMV  Large scale studies to ascertain the consequences of CMV infection in infants  The 88.4% CMV prevalence rate being detected among pregnant women calls for vaccine and routine screening for CMV infections and its associated risk factors.

17.  National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine  Kenyatta University Medical Laboratory Department  Kenyatta University Microbiology Department

18. THANK YOU