[Effects of cytomegalovirus infection in pregnant women to fetuses: study with DNA-DNA hybridization method].

DNA of cytomegalovirus (CMV) was examined in 131 placentae and 28 umbilical blood specimens by DNA-DNA hybridization. The result revealed that CMV DNA was detected in 4 of 50 placentae from abnormal fetuses (31 fetal deaths, 19 fetal deformities). 77 placentae from normal fetuses showed negative results. One of 2 cord blood samples from fetal deformities showed CMV DNA positive. 25 umbilical blood samples from normal term newborns showed negative. 4 placentae and 1 cord blood sample from premature infants showed negative results. The results indicate that CMV may play a great role in fetal death and fetal deformity through the infected maternal-fetal circulation.