Clinical Trial: A Randomized Trial to Prevent Congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

Study Status: Recruiting
Recruit Status: Recruiting
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: A Randomized Trial to Prevent Congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

Brief Summary:

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus that usually presents with few if any side effects. When first infected, some people may have symptoms similar to mononucleosis (i.e., fatigue, weakness, fever, swollen glands). Most people in the United States are infected during childhood or as adults if they work around children. Pregnant women, who have not been infected with CMV in the past and become infected during pregnancy (i.e. a primary infection), may cause their babies to get infected with CMV. Babies that are infected may develop permanent disabilities including hearing loss and a small portion will die from the infection.

Currently it is not routine practice to screen pregnant women for CMV infection. Additionally, there is no agreement about how to evaluate and manage pregnant women infected with CMV for the first time. There is also no evidence that treatment is beneficial for the baby.

The purpose of this research study is to determine whether treating pregnant women who have a primary CMV infection with CMV antibodies will reduce the number of babies infected with CMV.


Detailed Summary:

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common congenital infection, with approximately 44,000 congenitally infected infants in the U.S. per year. A substantial proportion of these infants will die or suffer permanent injury as a result of their infection. The severity of congenital infection is greatest with primary maternal CMV infection. Currently, there is no proven method of preventing congenital CMV infection, and the approach to primary maternal CMV infection in the United States is haphazard and ineffective. One small, non-randomized study suggests that maternal administration of CMV hyperimmune globulin may significantly reduce the rate of congenital CMV infection following maternal primary infection. The MFMU CMV Trial will address the primary research question: does maternal administration of CMV hyperimmune globulin lower the rate of congenital CMV infection among the offspring of women who have been diagnosed with primary CMV infection during early pregnancy?

The research study is funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). Fourteen medical centers across the country are participating in this research study. In all, 800 pregnant women who are identified with a primary CMV infection will be enrolled in this research study. The children of these women will be evaluated and tested at one and two years of age.


Sponsor: The George Washington University Biostatistics Center

Current Primary Outcome: Composite Outcome [ Time Frame: 3 weeks of life ]

The primary outcome is defined as fetal loss (spontaneous or termination), confirmed fetal CMV infection from amniocentesis, neonatal death before assessment of CMV infection can be made, or neonatal congenital CMV infection. Neonatal congenital CMV infection is diagnosed by urine or saliva collected by 3 weeks of age that is positive for CMV by culture (the intent will be to obtain in the first two days of life). In the event that Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is positive but culture is negative, a repeat culture must be positive by 3 weeks of age.


Original Primary Outcome: Composite Outcome [ Time Frame: 3 weeks of life ]

The primary outcome is defined as fetal loss (spontaneous or termination), confirmed fetal CMV infection from amniocentesis, neonatal death before assessment of CMV infection can be made, or neonatal congenital CMV infection. Neonatal congenital CMV infection is diagnosed by urine or saliva collected by 3 weeks of age that is positive for CMV by culture (the intent will be to obtain in the first two days of life). In the event that PCR is positive but culture is negative, a repeat culture must be positive by 3 weeks of age.


Current Secondary Outcome:

  • Gestational hypertension [ Time Frame: 42 weeks of pregnancy ]
  • Preeclampsia [ Time Frame: 42 weeks of pregnancy ]
  • Placental abruption [ Time Frame: 42 weeks of pregnancy ]
  • Gestational age at delivery [ Time Frame: 42 weeks of pregnancy ]
    Gestational age at delivery and preterm birth < 37 weeks' gestation or < 34 weeks' gestation
  • Adverse reactions and side effects [ Time Frame: Up to 42 weeks of pregnancy ]
  • Fetal and neonatal mortality [ Time Frame: 24 months ]
  • Primary outcome excluding terminations [ Time Frame: 3 weeks of life ]
  • Head circumference [ Time Frame: 3 days of life ]
    Measured within 72 hours of birth
  • Birth weight [ Time Frame: 1 day of life ]
  • Growth restriction [ Time Frame: 1 day of life ]
    Growth restriction defined as <5th percentile weight for gestational age, assessed specifically by sex and race of the infant based on United States birth certificate data
  • Microcephaly [ Time Frame: 3 days of life ]
  • Symptomatic CMV infection [ Time Frame: 3 weeks of life ]
    Symptomatic CMV infection defined as CMV isolated from an amniocentesis, or urine or saliva during the first three weeks of life and at least one of the following: jaundice, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, growth restriction, failure to thrive, intracerebral calcifications, microcephaly, hypotonia, seizures, petechial rash, hearing loss, interstitial pneumonitis, thrombocytopenia, anemia, hepatitis, chorioretinitis, or CMV in cerebrospinal fluid
  • Intraventricular hemorrhage [ Time Frame: 1 day of life ]
    Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) as determined by cranial ultrasounds performed as part of routine clinical care and classified based on the Papile classification system
  • Ventriculomegaly [ Time Frame: 1 day of life ]
  • Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) [ Time Frame: participants will be followed for the duration of hospital stay, an expected average of 4 weeks ]
    This diagnosis will be reached when an ophthalmologic examination of the retina has been performed and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is diagnosed at Stage I (demarcation line in the retina) or greater.
  • Respiratory distress syndrome [ Time Frame: participants will be followed for the duration of hospital stay, an expected average of 4 weeks ]
    Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) defined as the presence of clinical signs of respiratory distress (tachypnea, retractions, flaring, grunting, or cyanosis), with an oxygen requirement and a chest x-ray that shows hypoventilation and reticulogranular infiltrates.
  • Chronic lung disease [ Time Frame: 28 days of life ]
    Chronic lung disease, or bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) defined as oxygen requirement at 28 days of life.
  • Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) [ Time Frame: participants will be followed for the duration of hospital stay, an expected average of 4 weeks ]
    Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), defined as modified Bell Stage 2 or 3. Stage 2: Clinical signs and symptoms with pneumatosis intestinalis on radiographs. Stage 3: Advanced clinical signs and symptoms, pneumatosis, impending or proven intestinal perforation.
  • Hyperbilirubinemia [ Time Frame: participants will be followed for the duration of hospital stay, an expected average of 4 weeks ]
    Peak total bilirubin of at least 15 mg% or the use of phototherapy
  • Neonatal infectious morbidity [ Time Frame: participants will be followed for the duration of hospital stay, an expected average of 4 weeks ]
    • Sepsis (within 72 hours and > 72 hours after birth).
    • Suspected sepsis.
    • Pneumonia.
  • Seizures / encephalopathy [ Time Frame: participants will be followed for the duration of hospital stay, an expected average of 4 weeks ]
  • Length of hospital stay [ Time Frame: participants will be followed for the duration of hospital stay, an expected average of 4 weeks ]
    Length of hospital stay, need for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or intermediate care admission and length of stay if admitted
  • Infant or child death [ Time Frame: 2 years of age ]
  • Gestational hypertension [ Time Frame: 42 weeks of pregnancy ]
  • Preeclampsia [ Time Frame: 42 weeks of pregnancy ]
  • Placental abruption [ Time Frame: 42 weeks of pregnancy ]
  • Gestational age at delivery [ Time Frame: 42 weeks of pregnancy ]
    Gestational age at delivery and preterm birth < 37 weeks' gestation or < 34 weeks' gestation
  • Adverse reactions and side effects [ Time Frame: Up to 42 weeks of pregnancy ]
  • Fetal and neonatal mortality [ Time Frame: 24 months ]
  • Primary outcome excluding terminations [ Time Frame: 3 weeks of life ]
  • Head circumference [ Time Frame: 3 days of life ]
    Measured within 72 hours of birth
  • Birth weight [ Time Frame: 1 day of life ]
  • Growth restriction [ Time Frame: 1 day of life ]
    Growth restriction defined as <5th percentile weight for gestational age, assessed specifically by sex and race of the infant based on United States birth certificate data
  • Microcephaly [ Time Frame: 3 days of life ]
  • Symptomatic CMV infection [ Time Frame: 3 weeks of life ]
    Symptomatic CMV infection defined as CMV isolated from an amniocentesis, or urine or saliva during the first three weeks of life and at least one of the following: jaundice, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, growth restriction, failure to thrive, intracerebral calcifications, microcephaly, hypotonia, seizures, petechial rash, hearing loss, interstitial pneumonitis, thrombocytopenia, anemia, hepatitis, chorioretinitis, or CMV in cerebrospinal fluid
  • Intraventricular hemorrhage [ Time Frame: 1 day of life ]
    Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) as determined by cranial ultrasounds performed as part of routine clinical care and classified based on the Papile classification system
  • Ventriculomegaly [ Time Frame: 1 day of life ]
  • Retinopathy of prematurity [ Time Frame: participants will be followed for the duration of hospital stay, an expected average of 4 weeks ]
    This diagnosis will be reached when an ophthalmologic examination of the retina has been performed and ROP is diagnosed at Stage I (demarcation line in the retina) or greater.
  • Respiratory distress syndrome [ Time Frame: participants will be followed for the duration of hospital stay, an expected average of 4 weeks ]
    Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) defined as the presence of clinical signs of respiratory distress (tachypnea, retractions, flaring, grunting, or cyanosis), with an oxygen requirement and a chest x-ray that shows hypoaeration and reticulogranular infiltrates.
  • Chronic lung disease [ Time Frame: 28 days of life ]
    Chronic lung disease (BPD) defined as oxygen requirement at 28 days of life.
  • Necrotizing enterocolitis [ Time Frame: participants will be followed for the duration of hospital stay, an expected average of 4 weeks ]
    NEC, defined as modified Bell Stage 2 or 3. Stage 2: Clinical signs and symptoms with pneumatosis intestinalis on radiographs. Stage 3: Advanced clinical signs and symptoms, pneumatosis, impending or proven intestinal perforation.
  • Hyperbilirubinemia [ Time Frame: participants will be followed for the duration of hospital stay, an expected average of 4 weeks ]
    Peak total bilirubin of at least 15 mg% or the use of phototherapy
  • Neonatal infectious morbidity [ Time Frame: participants will be followed for the duration of hospital stay, an expected average of 4 weeks ]
    • Sepsis (within 72 hours and > 72 hours after birth).
    • Suspected sepsis.
    • Pneumonia.
  • Seizures / encephalopathy [ Time Frame: participants will be followed for the duration of hospital stay, an expected average of 4 weeks ]
  • Length of hospital stay [ Time Frame: participants will be followed for the duration of hospital stay, an expected average of 4 weeks ]
    Length of hospital stay, need for NICU or intermediate care admission and length of stay if admitted
  • Infant or child death [ Time Frame: 2 years of age ]
  • Sensorineural hearing loss [ Time Frame: 12 and 24 months corrected age ]