Congenital cytomegalovirus infections and malformations of cortical development

Malformations of cortical development(MCD) are due to a disorder of one of three fondamental events of cortical formation: proliferation, migration and organzation of cells during embryonal development of the cortex. Different causes and etiopathogenetic mechanisms have been identified as responsible of MCD. We belive that often infectious causes, in particular Congenitall Cytomegalovirus Infection (CCI), are not diagnosed. We have explored the possibility of CCI in all our patients with MCD of unknown cause [Epilepsia (1997) 3: 196-197], we used a previously set-up method that proved 100% sensible and 98% specific in diagnosing CCI [Clin Diag Virol ( (1906)6:27-32). A CCI was diagnosed in 4 out of 8 cases. In conclusions: 1] CCI must be given attention in any kind of MCD. 2) Our method is a valid test to detect those subjects who having undergone infection “in utero”, do not show any clinical evidence at birth and consequently are not immediately or adequately checked.