Newborn Hearing Screening and Intervention Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Information
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Cytomegalovirus
CMV is a common virus that infects people of all ages. Over half of adults have been infected with CMV by age 40. Most people infected with CMV show no signs or symptoms. When a baby is born with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, it is called congenital CMV. About one out of every 200 babies is born with congenital CMV infection.
CMV is the most common cause of non-hereditary congenital hearing loss. A pregnant mother who has CMV can pass on the infection to her baby. This can potentially damage the infant's brain, vision and/or hearing.
Hearing Screeners
Babies who do not pass their hearing screening test should be tested for CMV within 21 days of birth. Congenital CMV infection is diagnosed by detection of CMV DNA in the urine, saliva (preferred specimens), or blood. If the CMV test is positive, baby should be referred to pediatric infectious disease, otolaryngology, and ophthalmology. Refer to the CMV Testing Best Practices document for additional information.
Parents/Caregivers
If the baby is born in an out of hospital setting (home birth, birthing facility), or other occasion where the initial hearing screening is not performed in a hospital, you should contact the baby's pediatrician as soon as possible to discuss testing for CMV. Providers interested in performing a CMV screen after 21 days of age may utilize the CMV Test Requisition Form Utilizing DBS Specimen.