A Rare Case of Cytomegalovirus Enteritis Transmitted Through Breast Milk in an Immunocompetent Ter m Infant After Gastrointestinal Surgery

摘要

A full-term infant recovering from bowel resection for ileal atresia developed severe enteritis. Subsequent investigations confirmed the diagnosis of postnatal-acquired Cytomegalovirus (CMV) enteritis with the possible source of infection identified as CMV-positive breast milk. Postnatal-acquired CMV infection in preterm infants can cause significant morbidity, but is usually asymptomatic in term infants. This is the first report of life-threatening CMV enteritis in a term infant. Infants after major gastrointestinal surgery are at risk for CMV enteritis because of gut motility dysfunction, ineffective intestinal mucosal barrier, and impaired immune defense mechanisms. We suggest that breast milk screening should be performed in these cases, and feeding with CMV-positive breast milk should be avoided in the immediate post-operative period if possible. An effective method of CMV eradication needs to be established so that high-risk infants can receive the benefits of breast milk without the associated risks of CMV infection.