Hyperimmunoglobulin therapy for the prevention and treatment of congenital cytomegalovirus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To examine the safety and efficacy of hyeprimmunoglobulin therapy on vertical transmission of congenital cytomegalovirus (CCMV).Method: We searched nine databases for studies investigating the effect of Hyperimmunoglobulin among pregnant women with CMV.Results: Of total eight studies, the pooled prevalence of CCMV was 36.5% (95% confidence intervals (CI): 26-49%). There was no evidence that hyperimmunoglobulin is effective against CCMV [odds ratio (OR) (95% (CI)) = 0.53 (0.20-1.42)]. However, analyzing only studies of pregnant women with confirmed primary infection, a significant reduction in the congenital CCMV rates was observed [OR (95% CI) = 0.33 (0.18-0.59)]. Based on the purpose, CCMV prevention was successful with a reduction of the CCMV rates [OR (95% CI) = 0.33 (0.16-0.68)[, while treatment was not]OR (95% CI) = 0.80 (0.04-15.01)]. The most common adverse pregnancy outcome was prematurity, followed by intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and termination of pregnancy (TOP), with no significant impact of antenatal hyperimmunoglobulin usage.Conclusion: Our results showed a promising efficacy of hyperimmunoglobulin therapy among pregnant women with confirmed primary infection, which fades away on including secondary infection. This effectiveness was limited to the prevention, not the treatment, of CCMV. More randomized controlled trials are needed to provide concrete evidence.