Update on an Expanded Targeted Early Cytomegalovirus Testing Program From a Large Health Care System

OBJECTIVE: Update our expanded targeted screening program for congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) detection among newborns born in a health care system in Utah. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study was identified prospectively. SETTING: Intermountain Health care (IHC) system in Utah. PATIENTS: Infants from IHC facilities, born between March 1, 2021, and August 31, 2024, were tested for CMV within 6 months of birth. INTERVENTION: Expanded targeted screening program for cCMV. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of cCMV; clinical characteristics of cCMV-positive infants; effectiveness of expanded targeted screening program. RESULTS: Between March 1, 2021, and August 31, 2024, a total of 8598 tests were ordered for cCMV screening among 93,529 live births (9%) across 27 facilities within Intermountain Health care. Over 3.5 years, the expanded targeted screening program detected 32 confirmed cCMV cases among 93,528 live births, yielding an estimated prevalence of cCMV disease of 34 cases per 100,000. Hearing loss was detected in 9 of 32 children (28%), with varying degrees of severity, including unilateral (n=4), bilateral asymmetric (n=1), and bilateral symmetric loss (n=4). Of these, 5 were fitted with hearing aids, and 3 underwent bilateral cochlear implantation at a median age of 11 months. CONCLUSIONS: The expanded targeted early cCMV testing program has proven effective in enabling early intervention for children with cCMV. These results suggest feasibility and opportunities for improved early intervention and treatment.