What is CMV?

CMV or Cytomegalovirus is a member of the herpes virus family.
It is very common; 50-80% of the U.S. population has had a CMV infection by 40 years old (CDC).
It is typically harmless and can cause cold-like symptoms; 90% of adults and many children show no symptoms at all.
Once a person has had CMV, it stays there for life and can reactivate. It is also possible to be reinfected with a different strain of CMV.
It is more likely to occur in minority communities, especially young mothers.
There is currently no vaccine.

Who is at risk for CMV?

All pregnant women, but especially those…
- Who have young children in the home.
- Childcare workers, early interventionists, early childhood providers.
- Healthcare workers.
People with compromised immune systems are also at risk for CMV infection.
Nearly 1 in 3 children are infected by age 5.
- 8% - 20% of childcare staff are infected with CMV each year.
- 40% - 70% of childcare staff have evidence of a prior infection.

Hearing loss may be present at birth; however, half of all hearing loss cases due to CMV develop later on and/or are progressive. (Fowler et al., 1999)
About 10% of babies with cCMV have signs at birth (CDC). Some signs are: Small head size, intrauterine growth restriction (low weight), seizures, rash, liver, spleen, and lung problems.
Testing for CMV (saliva or urine) must be done within the first three weeks of life in order to determine if it occurred in utero.
Massachusetts currently does not mandate CMV screening, although some hospitals may be screening children who fail their newborn hearing test and/or show other clinical signs.

For children who show signs of CMV at birth, antiviral medications may improve hearing and developmental outcomes but should be used with caution due to side effects.
Babies diagnosed with congenital CMV should have regular hearing and vision screening as hearing loss may be present at birth or develop later and progressively worsen.
Children with hearing loss should receive services such as speech therapy.