Cytomeglovirus (CMV) is the most common infection a person can pass on to their babies during pregnancy. In the US, 1 in 200 babies are born with CMV and 20% of those will have birth defects or long-term health problems. These include hearing loss, vision loss, developmental and motor delays, seizures and a smaller than typical head.
"It can be really severe," said Sharon A. Vaz, MD, MPH, Ob/Gyn at ARC Seton Northwest in this recent article in the Austin American-Statesman. Mothers aren't tested for CMV because there's nothing that can be done to help the fetus once she gets sick. In babies, it's picked up on an ultrasound when the technician finds a smaller head or fluid around the heart. At birth, a rash or jaundice, an enlarged spleen or liver and or small size of the baby might also indicate CMV, Dr. Vaz added.
ARC CMV vaccine trials
Moderna has begun testing a new mRNA vaccine to prevent CMV infections in women of child-bearing age. ARC Clinical Research is participating in the national trials of this vaccine.
To join this clinical trial, you must be:
- Between 16-40 years of age
- In good health
- In close contact with at least one child 5 years of age or younger for at least 8 hours a week, if age 20 or older
- Not pregnant and not planning on becoming pregnant within the next 9 months
During the trial three injections are given over the course of six months. Half of the people will receive the vaccine and half will receive a placebo. Researchers will follow their health and antibodies to CMV for 30 months.
Participants will receive monetary compensation for their time
Gretchen L. Crook, MD, Principal Investigator at ARC Clinical Research Wilson Parke, who is leading the trial at one of the ARC clinical research locations, said while this trial won't be as easy to recruit participants as the COVID-19 trials, she's hoping people who have known children with CMV-caused abnormalities will sign up as well as people who are interested in contributing to science or lessening birth defects.
The hope is that just like pregnant women get a flu shot, a TDaP (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) vaccine, and now a COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy to protect their babies, a CMV vaccine also will be added during early pregnancy or even before.
Enroll today
If you are interested in this trial, call our ARC Clinical Research team at 512 225-5931 or fill out our Clinical Research interest online form.