Vaccine could protect against virus that causes birth defects

Shots might prevent some birth defects caused by cytomegalovirus infections in moms-to-be

An experimental vaccine is effective half the time in stopping cytomegalovirus infection in women in their child-bearing years, researchers report in the March 19 New England Journal of Medicine.

No vaccine currently exists for cytomegalovirus, which can cause birth defects when it infects a pregnant woman.