Vol. 9, Issue 7, Part D (2025)

A total of 204 blood samples were collected from pregnant women between November 2024 and March 2025, across various age groups and trimesters, to analyze the relationship between cytomegalovirus (CMV) viral load and the risk of miscarriage among pregnant women. The virus was diagnosed based on the measurement of IgM levels by ELISA, and IgG levels were measured to detect past infection among pregnant women. Viral load was measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Levels of TNF-α were also measured, as they are an inflammatory cytokine that can be associated with miscarriage.

The results were that the women aged between 18-25 years had the highest viral load and TNF-α levels during the first trimester of pregnancy. The miscarriage rate was also higher among the IgG negative women (48.4%) compared to the IgG positive women (15.9%), supporting an association of primary CMV infection with adverse pregnancy outcome. Levels of TNF-α were related to higher viral load and miscarriage.

These findings suggest that early detection of CMV viral load and immune response markers may play a pivotal part to play in the prevention of miscarriage as well as improved maternal and fetal health outcomes.