Universal newborn congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) screening

It is estimated that 1 in every 200 US newborns have congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV).  Delayed identification of cCMV in newborns precludes timely intervention to mitigate sequelae of the infection such as hearing loss and other neurological complications. Newborn testing for cCMV enables appropriate diagnosis and intervention by multidisciplinary teams to properly manage the immediate consequences of cCMV, avoid unnecessary additional testing that can result from delayed diagnosis, and monitor for future complications. It is the position of the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery that universal newborn cCMV screening is necessary to best accomplish these goals.

Approved February 2024

References:

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Important Disclaimer Notice (Updated 7/31/14)

Position statements are approved by the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery or Foundation (AAO-HNS/F) Boards of Directors and are typically generated from AAO-HNS/F committees. Once approved by the Academy or Foundation Board of Directors, they become official position statements and are added to the existing position statement library. In no sense do they represent a standard of care. The applicability of position statements, as guidance for a procedure, must be determined by the responsible physician in light of all the circumstances presented by the individual patient. Adherence to these clinical position statements will not ensure successful treatment in every situation. As with all AAO-HNS/F guidance, this position statement should not be deemed inclusive of all proper treatment decisions or methods of care, nor exclusive of other treatment decisions or methods of care reasonably directed to obtaining the same results. Position statements are not intended to and should not be treated as legal, medical, or business advice.