Ace the NARM Midwifery Exam 2026 – Deliver Your Dream Career with Confidence!

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is primarily transmitted through transplacental passage from an infected mother to her fetus, as well as during the process of childbirth. This route of transmission is significant because HCMV can cause congenital infections, leading to potential developmental issues in newborns.

In addition to transplacental transmission, HCMV can also be spread during delivery if the mother is shedding the virus in bodily fluids such as blood or vaginal secretions at the time of birth. Given that HCMV is a member of the herpesvirus family, it can remain latent in the body and be reactivated later, posing further risks of transmission.

Other transmission routes, such as through respiratory droplets or contaminated food and water, are not the primary means by which HCMV spreads, highlighting the specificity of its transmission methods.