Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a herpes virus that causes infections. The disease can be transmitted through contact with fluids, blood, saliva, etc. of a person carrying the virus. In particular, cytomegalovirus can be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy. On average, 1 in 4 women are infected with CMV during pregnancy.

CMV is the most common virus causing birth defects, affecting 0.2-2.2% of all live births and is the leading cause of sensorineural hearing loss. Approximately 10-15% of children with congenital CMV infection have symptoms at birth and 25% of children suffer long-term effects from CMV infection.