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A complete eight-year examine analyzing audiological outcomes of newborns screened for congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) by way of common screening demonstrates the important significance of early detection packages in figuring out infants in danger for listening to loss. The findings, printed within the journal Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgical procedure, reveal that roughly one-third of cCMV-related listening to loss develops after the new child interval—circumstances that will be missed with out common screening packages.
Congenital cytomegalovirus is the commonest non-genetic explanation for sensorineural listening to loss (SNHL) in youngsters and may happen even in asymptomatic sufferers.
“Our study underscores the profound impact of cCMV infection on hearing outcomes, and the importance of universal screening programs to identify infants at risk for sensorineural hearing loss,” stated Maria A. Carrillo-Marquez, MD, affiliate professor within the Division of Pediatrics and Division of Infectious Illnesses on the College of Tennessee Well being Science Heart, in Memphis, Tennessee.
“Universal screening is essential to identify babies at risk for hearing loss who would be missed based on symptoms or by newborn hearing screening alone.”
Researchers analyzed information from 247 cCMV-positive newborns recognized by way of saliva PCR screening at three nurseries and a neonatal intensive care unit in Memphis, Tennessee, between March 2016 and Could 2024. Among the many cohort, 24 infants (roughly 10%) had been recognized with SNHL, with 16 recognized in the course of the instant neonatal interval and eight growing late-onset listening to loss between 6 and 12 months of age. Notably, 5 of the eight late-onset circumstances occurred in infants who had been asymptomatic at delivery.
Connecting analysis to coverage
With one in 200 infants born with congenital cytomegalovirus and one in 5 growing long-term issues equivalent to listening to loss, seizures, and developmental delays, the findings underscore the pressing want for complete screening packages nationwide. The analysis comes because the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgical procedure (AAO-HNS) intensifies efforts to advance cCMV screening laws at each federal and state ranges, making common new child cCMV screening a key legislative precedence.
“This is one of the Academy’s top legislative priorities because the evidence overwhelmingly supports universal screening—we now need legislation to translate this knowledge into action,” stated Rahul Ok. Shah, MD, MBA, AAO-HNS/F Govt Vice President and CEO.
“As the physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of hearing health conditions, we know that screening plays a critical role in facilitating timely intervention. Early diagnosis and treatment of cCMV-related neurodevelopmental health problems are crucial to decreasing the risk of continued hearing loss as well as to the long-term developmental success of children.”
Federal advocacy: The Cease CMV Act
The Cease CMV Act (H.R. 5435/S. 2842) was efficiently reintroduced in the course of the first session of the 119th Congress by U.S. Representatives Mike Lawler (R-NY), Greg Landsman (D-OH), and Deborah Ross (D-NC) and U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Roger Marshall, MD (R-KS), and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) because of the efforts of AAO-HNS, working in partnership with different key allies and medical societies. This essential laws would authorize federal funding for cCMV screening packages that enhance early detection and intervention of listening to loss in infants.
State-level progress
The Academy’s advocacy efforts are gaining momentum throughout the nation:
Oregon: The Oregon Legislature unanimously handed and the governor signed into regulation HB 2685, a landmark invoice increasing focused screening for cCMV. The regulation directs the Oregon Well being Authority to implement testing for newborns who fail preliminary listening to screenings, guarantee testing inside 14 days of delivery, and require insurance coverage protection for these important checks. The AAO-HNS joined a number of listening to well being advocacy organizations in supporting this essential laws.
New York: The Academy is supporting A.3956 and S.5454, payments into consideration within the New York State Legislature that will set up common cCMV screening for all newborns. A.3956 would require common screening utilizing both a dried blood spot or urine PCR check, providing flexibility for clinicians, whereas S.5454 presently mandates testing by way of urine PCR solely. The Academy encourages alignment with the Meeting model to make sure broad and sensible implementation.
Massachusetts: The Academy submitted testimony in help of H. 4367, which is pending in committee. The invoice would require common cCMV screening for all newborns, set up a statewide public training program concerning the an infection, and create an advisory committee to information implementation and guarantee equitable entry. AAO-HNS highlighted that early detection inside the first 21 days of life permits well timed interventions—equivalent to antiviral remedy, listening to monitoring, and developmental help.
Wanting forward: A number of states are anticipated to maneuver ahead with cCMV screening proposals quickly together with Michigan, Texas, and Wisconsin.
“Early diagnosis and treatment of cCMV-related neurodevelopmental health problems are crucial to the long-term developmental success of children,” stated Dr. Shah.
Key examine findings
The Memphis examine discovered that cCMV affected 0.5% of newborns screened—per nationwide estimates—and demonstrated a number of essential findings:
Roughly 10% of cCMV-positive infants developed SNHL
Half of all listening to loss circumstances had been bilateral, whereas half had been unilateral
Symptomatic infants had increased charges of microcephaly and intracranial calcifications in comparison with these with regular listening to
9 sufferers have acquired cochlear implants (seven bilateral, one unilateral) and 4 have listening to aids
Social vulnerability was related to fewer follow-up visits, highlighting the influence of social determinants of well being on long-term care
The examine additionally revealed important challenges with affected person follow-up, significantly amongst households dealing with socioeconomic obstacles. Of the unique 247 sufferers, 137 (55%) had been misplaced to follow-up between the one- and three-month analysis intervals, with the bulk occurring in households with increased social vulnerability scores. This underscores the necessity for complete help methods alongside screening packages.
A progressive and sometimes silent menace
Congenital cytomegalovirus is the main infectious explanation for delivery defects and the main non-genetic explanation for listening to loss in infants. CMV-related listening to loss might be progressive, with roughly 50% of affected youngsters experiencing worsening over time. The hallmark function of cCMV is progressive and everlasting listening to loss, which may current at delivery or happen later in life—making common screening important for figuring out all at-risk infants, not simply these with signs.
Extra data:
Celine Richard et al, Audiological Outcomes of Cytomegalovirus Saliva PCR‐Optimistic Newborns in Assist of Common Screening, Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgical procedure (2025). DOI: 10.1002/ohn.1332
Supplied by
American Academy of Otolaryngology
Quotation:
Affect of common congenital cytomegalovirus screening on early detection of new child listening to loss revealed (2025, November 3)
retrieved 3 November 2025
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