A CMV pregnancy is generally not considered a high risk pregnancy.

Leading hospitals in Israel have designated clinics for the monitoring of CMV pregnancies.

Along with appropriate follow-up on the infection, the gynecologist needs not necessarily be an expert on the CMV virus, but needs to be a professional in his own subject matter and issue all the required references according to the instructions of the CMV expert.

Until mid-2020, there was no available treatment or intervention for women who contracted CMV, aside from careful monitoring to determine whether the fetus was infected and whether it was affected by the infection.

In September 2020, a study was published in collaboration between Schneider and Beilinson hospitals in the medical journal The Lancet. The study found that in women who became infected around conception and during the first trimester, treatment with Valacyclovir reduced the rate of fetal infection by 71% compared to women who did not receive the treatment.

What the treatment is and who it is for:

Valacyclovir, commercially known as Valtrex, is an antiviral medication originally used to treat herpes (from the same drug family as Valcyte, which is given to children affected by CMV after birth). The medication has been found to be safe for use during pregnancy.

According to the study, the drug is given to women who became infected around conception or during the first trimester. The window for starting the treatment is up to 8 weeks from the time of infection, and it is taken until the amniocentesis is performed.
The earlier and closer to the time of infection the medication is started, the higher the chances it will be effective, highlighting the importance of seeing a specialist as soon as possible after the infection is detected.

During treatment, it is important to drink plenty of fluids (2.5–3 liters per day) and have blood tests for kidney function every two weeks.

Valtrex as a preventive treatment for CMV infection is still not officially approved. It can be obtained via Form 29G and a prescription from the health fund doctor. Some insurance companies approve reimbursement for the cost.

The CMV virus requires specific knowledge. Since this is the most common congenital virus in Israel and worldwide, it is widely investigated, and the frequency of the discoveries – followed by changes to the monitoring and treatment protocol – are of significance.

​In addition, it is important that the expert will be accessible and approachable for questions and consultations on issues that arise throughout the pregnancy.

​Therefore, it is important to seek an infectious diseases doctor who is an expert on this, and not settle for a general infectious diseases doctor.

The monitoring can also be done at the CMV clinics at the hospitals, which consist of gynecologists specializing in CMV, some of also combine a pediatric infectious diseases doctor specializing in CMV.

The contact details of professionals specializing in CMV can be found under the tab Important Telephone Numbers.

In a small portion of the CMV pregnancies, the targeted scans will detect findings that will support the suspicion for serious fetal injury.

In most cases, the experts will raise the possibility of approaching the Termination of Pregnancy National Committee and the couple may make the decision which is right for them.

The National Committee, or as it is officially called, the Viability Stage Termination of Pregnancy Committee, consists of an expert OBGYN, another expert and a social worker, as well as two other consultants – a neonatology expert and a geneticist.

The National Committees reside in several medical centers.
If you are interested in talking with a woman who underwent the procedure, please contact via email.