19th ANNUAL EARLY HEARING DETECTION & INTERVENTION MEETING
March 8-10, 2020 • Kansas City, MO
Making the Case for Universal Hearing Targeted CMV Screenings
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common illness related to the herpes simplex virus. CMV at the time of birth is a known risk factor for hearing loss among neonates. By adulthood, CMV effects approximately 50 to 80% of individuals; however, the virus often lays dormant and symptoms are absent. Hormone fluctuations related to pregnancy may result in the recrudescence of CMV. Congenital CMV (cCMV) is a form of the virus that is passed from the mother to the newborn child in utero. According to the CDC, cCMV is the “most common infectious cause of birth defects in the US,” with approximately 1 out of every 200 infants born with the virus annually (2018). cCMV causes approximately 20 to 25% of congenital hearing loss, and can cause seizures, vision loss, low birth weight, developmental and motor delays, and even death among neonates. Despite the high prevalence of cCMV, awareness of the virus is very low and there are currently no universal protocols for screening for cCMV. In light of the known risks of cCMV and lack of universal protocols, some states have established legislation for hearing targeted cCMV screenings as well as outreach programs to educate prospective parents about cCMV. The purpose of this project is to examine the best practices for cCMV diagnosis, intervention and education and to compare these to current states’ cCMV legislation. Most states with hearing targeted cCMV screenings are meeting best practices in terms of diagnosis, but fall short in terms of patient education, reporting, and intervention. While hearing targeted cCMV screenings are a good starting point, consideration should be given to cCMV screenings for all neonates, regardless of hearing status at birth.
- Examine the best practices for Hearing Targeted CMV Screenings
- Compare best practices to current state Hearing Targeted CMV Screenings
- Provide recommendations for future CMV screenings
Poster:
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Presenter: Sarah Jones
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
No relevant financial relationship exist.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exist.