Fetal cerebral periventricular halo at midgestation: an ultrasound finding suggestive of fetal cytomegalovirus infection.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to identify a cerebral ultrasound finding indicative of fetal cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection at midgestation.

STUDY DESIGN

All fetuses of 218 patients with primary CMV infection underwent prospective transvaginal neurosonographic examination at 20-22 weeks' gestation.

RESULTS

Transvaginal sonography identified a periventricular echogenic halo with well-defined borders in 6 infected fetuses at a mean gestational age of 20.5 weeks. Transabdominal axial views of the fetal head were normal in all cases. All patients opted for termination of pregnancy. Autopsy in 2 fetuses showed changes compatible with subacute white matter injury resembling telencephalic leukomalacia.

CONCLUSION

A fetal cerebral periventricular halo disclosed by transvaginal sonography at midgestation in pregnant patients with recent CMV infection is suggestive of fetal infection and may be associated with white matter lesions.