Why Your Baby May Receive a CMV Test
Congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV) & Hearing Loss
CMV is a common virus that infects people of all ages. Most people with CMV infections have no signs or symptoms, or will have mild cold symptoms, and there are no harmful lasting effects. However, when CMV occurs during pregnancy the baby can become infected before birth. CMV infection before birth is known as congenital CMV. When this occurs, the virus can potentially cause damage to the brain, eyes and/or ears, or slowing of growth.
Congenital CMV is the most common cause of non-hereditary hearing loss in children. About one in 150 children are born with congenital CMV, and one of every five children born with congenital CMV will have ongoing issues such as hearing loss.
Newborn Hearing Screening
If your baby does not pass his/her newborn hearing screening in the hospital it is very important that they have another screening at an audiologist’s office as an outpatient. This repeat diagnostic hearing screening is necessary to complete the newborn hearing screening process and should be scheduled before your baby goes home from the hospital.
Congenital CMV Testing
If your baby does not pass the hearing screening while in the hospital, a test for congenital CMV is recommended. Congenital CMV testing is very simple and painless, and can be obtained using urine or saliva. This laboratory test needs to be completed before your baby is 21 days old. If your baby’s test for CMV is positive, you will be referred to any needed specialist by your baby’s primary care provider.
Additional follow-up care by a specialist can be scheduled at ENT Specialists of Northwest Ohio.