In which patient population is congenital CMV infection most commonly diagnosed?

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is most commonly diagnosed in pediatric patients, particularly in those presenting with periventricular calcifications. Periventricular calcifications are a hallmark of neurodevelopmental issues that can arise from congenital CMV infection. When a fetus is infected with CMV in utero, it can lead to various neurological and developmental problems, with periventricular calcifications being a significant indicator of such infections.

Diagnosis in this population is critical because early detection can lead to supportive care and interventions that may improve developmental outcomes. Unlike the other patient groups, pediatric patients with periventricular calcifications represent a direct consequence of congenital infection, making them the most relevant population for this question.

In contrast, while renal transplant patients, children with fever and rash, and elderly patients with pneumonia might also experience CMV infection, these scenarios do not specifically link to congenital infection and may involve postnatal transmission or opportunistic infections rather than in utero factors. Therefore, the focus on periventricular calcifications in children highlights the unique association with congenital CMV infection, making this population the most commonly diagnosed for this condition.