The Massachusetts Congenital CMV Coalition (MCC) is a group of medical professionals, educators, stakeholders, and parents who have united with the common goal of lessening the impact of congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) in our state, through education, prevention, screening, and care.
Our Mission:
- Educate the general public, healthcare providers, and stakeholders about cCMV.
- Prevent the incidence of cCMV through the promotion of specific hygiene practices among pregnant women.
- Screen newborns universally for cCMV, in order to improve the rate of diagnosis, especially children who are asymptomatic at birth.
- Care for children born with cCMV by sharing resources with parents about treatment, early intervention services, long-term monitoring, and counseling.
Initiatives:
- The group first met in January 2019 to explore and address issues to cCMV in Massachusetts.
- A survey was created to collect data about current screening practices from all Massachusetts birthing hospitals.
- The MCC’s website was developed (cmvmass.org) in order to share educational resources regarding cCMV.
- A study about current Massachusetts cCMV screening practices is currently being conducted out of Mass General Brigham through the use of the survey.
- The website continues to reach out to the general public and pregnant women through the use of social media, blog posts, and educational videos.
- Advocate for universal screening practice at MA birthing hospitals.
- Make cCMV a reportable condition in MA.
- Make prenatal education of cCMV common practice among obstetrician offices in Massachusetts.
- Continue to find and share resources to support parents and children living with a cCMV diagnosis.