Rethinking congenital cytomegalovirus: A narrative review of the clinical, public health, and ethical challenges of a preventable cause of childhood hearing loss.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review without systematic search methodology or primary data
PubMed 40845513 · doi:10.1016/j.amjoto.2025.104682
What was done
This narrative review synthesized literature on congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV), focusing on clinical manifestations, diagnostic testing (such as PCR), treatment options, screening strategies (universal versus targeted), and associated ethical, policy, and health equity challenges in the United States.
What was found
The abstract provides no specific empirical numbers or effect estimates. It notes that cCMV affects tens of thousands of infants annually in the US as the leading non-genetic cause of pediatric sensorineural hearing loss. It highlights that while both universal and targeted screening approaches show evidence of cost-effectiveness depending on implementation context, the lack of national screening guidance leaves many asymptomatic and late-onset cases undiagnosed and creates disparities in follow-up care.
Why it matters
Early identification of cCMV can enable prompt intervention for progressive hearing loss, but current state-by-state variations in screening policy leave substantial gaps in detection and equitable care.
Limits
As a narrative review, it lacks a systematic literature search protocol, formal study quality assessment, or quantitative meta-analysis. The abstract provides no primary data, sample sizes, or precise cost-effectiveness metrics.
Cited by
- supports Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common congenital infectious cause of hearing loss.