Congenital cytomegalovirus infection is a significant cause of moderate to profound sensorineural hearing loss in <scp>Q</scp>ueensland children

Abstract

cCMV is a significant cause of hearing impairment in Queensland children. Investigation for cCMV by retrospective DBS CMV PCR should be part of the routine investigation of all babies and young children with hearing impairment. However early diagnosis is preferable and could be achieved by routine early screening of all newborns with hearing impairment for CMV before 3 weeks of age. The healthy hearing screening programme is a routine part of neonatal care. Enhancing the integration of screening for cCMV may reduce the current delays in diagnosis and should be evaluated.