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

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Lena Kashyap in Health & Wellness November 2026 • 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.

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CMV in Children and Newborns

About one out of every 200 babies is born with congenital CMV infection each year. In the United States, one in three children is already infected with CMV by age five. An ACIP CMV Vaccine Workgroup presentation cites Das et al.'s phase 2b trial of the replication-defective human cytomegalovirus vaccine V160 in CMV-seronegative women.

Often Silent, Sometimes Serious

CMV is a common virus found in people of all ages, and most healthy people who have it do not have symptoms. When symptoms occur, they can include fever, tiredness or fatigue, sore throat, swollen glands, and sometimes a rash. The listed sources emphasize that CMV can cause serious health issues in babies born with the infection and in people with weakened immune systems, while its lack of symptoms in many healthy people can make recognition difficult.

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.
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Limits of the Reported Study

The reported study included 75 pregnant Russian women at 27 to 28 weeks of gestation. Of these, 55 were CMV-seropositive women with exacerbation of chronic CMV infection, while 20 were CMV-seronegative women in the control group. Because the provided source describes the study population but does not provide its results, it cannot by itself establish how the findings apply to all pregnant people.

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.

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Studying Blood-Cell Changes

The study examined the effect of CMV infection on histidine concentration in peripheral-blood erythrocytes in pregnant women at 27 to 28 weeks of gestation. It also investigated how the virus penetrates the erythrocyte membrane. The objective included demonstrating morphofunctional alterations of the erythrocyte membrane.

How erythrocyte measurements changed during CMV exacerbation

  • 2.13 times lowerDistal histidine per erythrocyte was 2.13 times lower during exacerbation than in the comparison group.[1]
  • 2.9 and 3.3 times higherUnsaturated fatty acids in erythrocyte membranes increased 2.9 times; fatty acid peroxides increased 3.3 times.[1]
  • 1.7 and 6.8 times higherMembrane microviscosity increased 1.7 times, while erythrocyte deformability increased 6.8 times.[1]

A one-year study of CMV and erythrocyte membranes

PopulationPregnant women at 27-28 weeks of gestation, including CMV-seropositive women with infection exacerbation[1]
Sample size75[1]
SettingFederal State Budget Scientific Institution “Far Eastern Scientific Centre of Physiology and Pathology of Respiration”[1]
DurationOne year[1]
Effect sizeDistal histidine decreased 2.13-fold; unsaturated fatty acids increased 2.9-fold, fatty acid peroxides 3.3-fold, membrane microviscosity 1.7-fold, and erythrocyte deformability 6.8-fold[1]
Times cited0[1]

How this membrane study fits with other CMV evidence

This paper focuses on erythrocyte histidine and membrane changes, while a separate study tested valaciclovir for preventing vertical transmission after maternal primary infection; the two address different questions.[1] [2]

Other reports include an association between first-trimester maternal CMV infection and stillbirth, as well as a pregnancy case involving hemolysis and abnormal red-cell shape. These findings provide clinical context but do not validate the membrane mechanism reported here.[3] [4]

A review describes severe hemolysis as rare and its pathogenesis as unresolved, underscoring that membrane measurements alone do not settle how CMV-related anemia develops.[5]

What follow-up work would clarify

  • Do the reported erythrocyte changes also occur in pregnant people without the study’s selected infection-exacerbation features?[1]
  • How do membrane changes relate to clinical hemolysis or anemia in the same participants?[1] [4]
  • Which steps in the proposed viral-entry process are responsible for the observed membrane alterations?[1]

Sources

  1. Mechanism Of Cytomegalovirus Penetration Through Erythrocyte Membrane (Scitechnol Biosoft Pvt. Ltd., 2017)
  2. Valaciclovir to prevent vertical transmission of cytomegalovirus after maternal primary infection during pregnancy: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  3. Association Between First-Trimester Maternal Cytomegalovirus Infection and Stillbirth: A Prospective Cohort Study (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  4. Hemolysis caused by CMV infection in a pregnant woman with silent elliptocytosis. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
  5. Hemolytic anemia due to acute cytomegalovirus infection in an immunocompetent adult: a case report and review of the literature (pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

About this Article -

Written with AI assistance from published research, and reviewed by the Mystum team. 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

1

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.

2

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.

3

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.

4

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.

5

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.

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