Illustration of a pregnant woman's silhouette with glowing red blood cells and CMV viruses, symbolizing the impact of CMV on maternal health.

CMV and Pregnancy: How This Common Virus Impacts Your Health

Lena Kashyap in Health & Wellness June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Uncover the hidden connection between cytomegalovirus (CMV) and pregnancy complications. Understand how this common virus impacts maternal and fetal health, and learn what you can do to protect yourself and your baby."

Pregnancy is a beautiful journey, but it also comes with its share of concerns. Among these is the potential impact of infections, and one that often flies under the radar is cytomegalovirus, or CMV. While many people are unaware they even have it, CMV can pose significant risks, especially during pregnancy.

CMV is a common virus, affecting people of all ages. Most healthy adults experience mild symptoms or none at all. However, if a woman contracts CMV for the first time during pregnancy, or if a pre-existing CMV infection reactivates, it can potentially harm the developing fetus. This is because CMV can cross the placenta and infect the baby, leading to a range of complications.

This article delves into the lesser-known connection between CMV infection during pregnancy and its impact on red blood cells, specifically how CMV can affect the structure and function of erythrocyte membranes, potentially leading to anemia. We'll explore the mechanisms behind this process, discuss the risks involved, and, most importantly, provide information on preventative measures and management strategies to help you navigate this potential concern during your pregnancy.

How Does CMV Affect Red Blood Cells During Pregnancy?

Illustration of a pregnant woman's silhouette with glowing red blood cells and CMV viruses, symbolizing the impact of CMV on maternal health.

Research indicates that CMV can disrupt the delicate balance within red blood cells, also known as erythrocytes. A key finding highlights that during CMV infection, there's a notable decrease in histidine concentration within these cells. Histidine is an amino acid crucial for various cellular functions, including maintaining the structural integrity of cell membranes.

The study reveals a cascade of events triggered by CMV's impact on histidine levels:

Disrupted Membrane Structure: Reduced histidine weakens the erythrocyte membrane, making it more vulnerable to damage.
Increased Oxidative Stress: There's an increase in unsaturated fatty acids and fatty acid peroxides within the erythrocyte membranes, indicating heightened oxidative stress.
Compromised Deformability: Erythrocytes lose their ability to deform properly, which is essential for navigating through narrow blood vessels. This can lead to their premature destruction.
Anemia Risk: The accumulation of damaged and less deformable erythrocytes increases the risk of anemia in pregnant women.

The researchers propose that CMV's gp64 protein, found in its outer envelope, plays a key role in this process. This protein facilitates the virus's entry into the erythrocyte, causing damage and setting off the chain of events described above. This process increases microviscosity in the erythrocyte membrane and abrupt condensation. Ultimately, this cascade threatens the stability and function of red blood cells, increasing risks for both mother and child.

Protecting Your Health and Your Baby's Future

Understanding the potential impact of CMV on red blood cells during pregnancy is the first step toward protecting your health and your baby's well-being. While the information presented here may seem concerning, remember that knowledge is power. By working closely with your healthcare provider, implementing preventative measures, and staying informed, you can navigate your pregnancy journey with confidence and ensure the best possible outcome for you and your child. Prioritize open communication with your doctor, advocate for appropriate testing and monitoring, and embrace a proactive approach to your health to mitigate the risks associated with CMV during pregnancy.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.21767/2476-1974.100028, Alternate LINK

Title: Mechanism Of Cytomegalovirus Penetration Through Erythrocyte Membrane

Subject: General Medicine

Journal: Reproductive Immunology: Open Access

Publisher: Scitechnol Biosoft Pvt. Ltd.

Authors: Lucenko Michael T, Andrievskaya Irina A

Published: 2017-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is cytomegalovirus, and why is it a concern during pregnancy?

Cytomegalovirus, or CMV, is a very common virus that can infect people of all ages. Most people who get CMV don't even know they have it because they experience mild or no symptoms. However, CMV can be concerning during pregnancy because if a woman gets infected for the first time or if a previous infection reactivates, it can potentially harm the developing fetus. This happens because CMV can cross the placenta and infect the baby, potentially leading to various complications. The impact of CMV is especially significant on erythrocyte membranes, which are critical for red blood cell function and overall health.

How does cytomegalovirus affect my red blood cells if I get infected while pregnant?

CMV can affect erythrocytes, also known as red blood cells, by disrupting their normal function. Research has shown that CMV infection can lead to a decrease in histidine levels within these cells. Histidine is an amino acid that is essential for maintaining the structural integrity of erythrocyte membranes. When histidine levels drop, the membranes become weaker and more susceptible to damage. This can lead to increased oxidative stress, compromised deformability (the ability of red blood cells to squeeze through small blood vessels), and ultimately, an increased risk of anemia in pregnant women. The CMV's gp64 protein is thought to play a key role in this process by facilitating the virus's entry into the erythrocyte and initiating the cascade of events.

What role does the gp64 protein play in cytomegalovirus infections?

The gp64 protein, found on the outer envelope of cytomegalovirus (CMV), facilitates the virus's entry into erythrocytes. Once inside, this protein triggers a cascade of events, causing damage and setting off a chain reaction that increases microviscosity in the erythrocyte membrane and abrupt condensation. This ultimately threatens the stability and function of red blood cells. This mechanism underscores the importance of understanding viral proteins in the context of infection and their subsequent effects on cellular function. Research into gp64 protein and its interactions within erythrocytes could lead to targeted therapeutic interventions to mitigate its harmful effects.

Can cytomegalovirus cause anemia during pregnancy, and if so, how does it happen?

Anemia can result from cytomegalovirus (CMV) due to its effects on erythrocytes. When CMV infects these cells, it leads to decreased levels of histidine, weakening the erythrocyte membrane. This makes the cells more vulnerable to damage and increases oxidative stress, compromising their ability to deform properly. As a result, damaged and less deformable erythrocytes accumulate, increasing the risk of anemia in pregnant women. Anemia can lead to fatigue, weakness, and other health complications for both the mother and the developing fetus. The gp64 protein on CMV contributes significantly to this process.

What can I do to protect myself and my baby from cytomegalovirus during pregnancy?

To protect yourself and your baby from cytomegalovirus (CMV) during pregnancy, it's crucial to work closely with your healthcare provider. Regular prenatal care can help monitor your health and detect any potential infections early on. Preventative measures include practicing good hygiene, such as frequent handwashing, especially after contact with young children or potentially contaminated surfaces. Open communication with your doctor is essential to discuss appropriate testing and monitoring. A proactive approach to your health and awareness of CMV can help mitigate the associated risks. While there's no vaccine currently available for CMV, ongoing research is exploring potential preventative and treatment strategies.