Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

ACI Alliance Calls for Universal cCMV Screening

The American Cochlear Implant (ACI) Alliance is pleased to present our position statement for universal screening for cytomegalovirus (cCMV). As 1 in every 200 US newborns has cCMV and delayed identification precludes timely intervention, the ACI Alliance Board of Directors urged the development and publication of a comprehensive statement to support policy efforts for screening at the state and national levels and highlight the importance of medical intervention. Newborn testing for cCMV enables appropriate diagnosis and intervention by multidisciplinary teams to support newborns and their families. Read more here.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) affects approximately 1 per every 200 births in the United States and is the most common cause of non-hereditary hearing loss. Infants are infected due to exposure of the mother who often is unaware they had CMV due to the mild, cold-like symptoms in adults. CMV is responsible for hearing loss in 1 in 5 children who have no other known risk factor or cause. Hearing loss related to CMV may not be present at birth, but rather delayed in onset and hence would be missed by newborn hearing screening and may fluctuate or progress during childhood.

To read more about federal CMV legislation, including talking points and the official press release from Senator Blumenthal on a bill introduced in the 118^th Congress, click here.”

State of cCMV Policies Across the US

While the U.S. Congress considers screening legislation, a growing number of states have stepped in with CMV screening or educational laws. Screening for the virus is usually undertaken only after an infant has failed an initial hearing screening. Consequently, many children who are asymptomatic at birth develop hearing loss later. ACI Alliance and its advocacy networks actively support legislation that recommend universal or targeted plus screening for CMV as part of the newborn screening panel or after a child has failed the newborn hearing test. We also support advancing education and awareness of this virus within the general public. Below is a chart highlighting the current state legislation.

In August 2022 Pediatrics, a publication of the American Academy of Pediatrics, published “Emerging Concepts in Congenital Cytomegalovirus” by Megan H. Pesch, MD, MS and Mark R. Schleiss, MD. The paper explores developments in diagnosis, care and vaccine trials and includes priority areas for future research.  Find the full paper here.

Watch the video below on "A Focus on CMV" with parents experiences included.