The New England journal of medicine
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Intrauterine transmission of cytomegalovirus (CMV) can occur whether a mother has prior immunity or acquires CMV for the first time during pregnancy. The degree of protection afforded an infected infant by the presence of antibody in the mother before conception is uncertain. ⋯ The presence of maternal antibody to CMV before conception provides substantial protection against damaging congenital CMV infection in the newborn. Primary maternal infection during pregnancy is associated with more severe sequelae of congenital CMV infection.