Prenatally acquired cytomegalovirus encephalopathy.

A case is reported of congenital cytomegalovirus infection. A baby girl was born at an estimated gestational age of 35 weeks to a 26-year-old Hispanic women. There was maternal cocaine abuse and poor prenatal care, and variable decelerations, abruptio placentae, and meconium-stained fluid occurred in the intrapartum period. Cytomegalovirus was isolated from the urine, with growth occurring in 48 hours, and the neonate had characteristic neurodevelopment handicaps.