Our journey through Congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV).
Starting from pregnancy, through to 15 months, this is about our son Kaiden. Born at 34 weeks by emergency c-section due to Congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV). Born July 4 2007 at 4:21pm he weighed only 3lb 14oz (1.76kg), 42cm long and HC was 30cm. He had 2 bleeds within his brain which caused calcifications and he also had jaundice, low birth weight, extremely low platelets and an enlarged liver and spleen. He was never expected to live. Kaiden continuously proved everyone wrong at every step of the way, they said he couldnt do it- so he did. When they said he was too weak to do something, he did it and better than we had ever imagined! Kaiden is Celtic for WARRIOR and we chose it when i was only a few weeks pregnant, we had no idea how suitable that name would turn out to be… We have been extremely lucky in that not only did he survive, but the effects of the virus have been minimal compared to the majority of CMV babies. The only permanent ill effects from the virus have been to his hearing. He has a moderate/severe loss to his left ear and profound to the right. He wears little blue hearing aids and with them he can hear as low as a whisper. As of 15 months of age (October 4 2008) Kaiden can say 2 words, Mum and Bub. He continues to amaze us every day and i couldnt imagine my life without him. This devastating virus has hurt so many children and yet its barely known. If you or someone you know is pregnant or planning a pregnancy PLEASE ask your doctor about CMV and …
