NEED TO KNOW
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Participant The Challenge show Nicole Zanatta gave birth to twin daughters on May 1.
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In an Instagram post on June 1, Zanatta revealed that her daughters were diagnosed with congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and spent several weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit before she was able to bring them home last week.
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She shared their story in honor of June, Cytomegalovirus Awareness Month.
Participant The Challenge show Nicole Zanatta gave birth to twin daughters!
She announced this on Monday, June 1, in a post on Instagram.
Zanatta, 35, gave birth to daughters Seraphina and Madison on May 1, whom she called "the greatest blessing of my life," while noting that "our journey hasn't been easy.".
Seraphina and Madison were diagnosed with congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and both spent several weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit before Zanatta was able to bring them home last week, she said. "Through all the ups and downs, I choose faith over fear, perseverance over doubt, and gratitude for every blessing along the way," Zanatta wrote. "I will give my girls every opportunity to thrive. I will always fight for them and advocate for their needs.".
«"Looking back, I wish I had known more," Zanatta added of CMV, explaining that she is sharing her experience of being diagnosed now because June is CMV Awareness Month.
«"CMV is one of the most common congenital infections, yet many parents have never heard of it," Zanatta explained. "Awareness is important because early diagnosis, education, and advocacy can make a difference." "Thank you to everyone who supported us, prayed for us, and loved my girls," she continued. "We have a long road ahead, but we will get through it together." CMV is a "disease caused by a common virus," according to the Mayo Clinic. The CMV virus remains in the body for life once infected and is spread from person to person through bodily fluids, including blood, saliva, urine, semen, and breast milk, the clinic reports.
Nicole Zanatta and her twin daughters. Photo: Nicole Zanatta/Instagram
Symptoms of CMV infection may include fever, fatigue, and sore throat. There are two types of infection: congenital CMV infection, in which newborns are infected before birth, and perinatal CMV infection, which affects infants shortly after birth, according to the Mayo Clinic.
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According to the Mayo Clinic, newborns with CMV may experience low birth weight, jaundice, retinitis, rash, enlarged spleen, seizures, pneumonia, delayed motor development, and "smaller than normal head size, also called microcephaly.".
Zanatta announced her pregnancy on December 23, 2025, posting a photo of herself holding ultrasound images of her unborn children.
«"This journey has tested my heart—intrauterine insemination, failed attempts, and moments of heartache—but it has also been filled with love, strength, and the unwavering support of my family and friends," she wrote at the time. "Today, I can finally share the news I've kept secret for so long: I'm pregnant with twins.".
Read the original article on People.