By Kaisha Gonzalez, PhD
Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is the most common congenital infection in the United States and a leading cause of childhood hearing loss, yet most affected newborns are asymptomatic at birth. This article examines the clinical consequences of missed diagnoses, including neurodevelopmental delay and a potential association with autism spectrum disorder, and evaluates three primary screening models: targeted, expanded targeted, and universal approaches. It reviews current legislation, emerging policy initiatives, and the performance of molecular diagnostic methods using saliva, urine, and dried blood spots. Practical guidance is provided to help laboratories implement effective, timely, and evidence-based cCMV testing strategies.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of this article, the reader will be able to:
- Discuss current statistics of congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) that affects the newborn population
- List the complications that cCMV can cause later in life
- Differentiate between the three screening processes for cCMV and list the limitations of each
- Discuss current and future laboratory testing methods for the detection of cCMV
Kaisha Gonzalez, PhD is the Regional Director of Scientific Affairs at Diasorin and holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. She specializes in molecular diagnostics and infectious diseases, leading scientific outreach initiatives, clinical research collaborations, and
efforts to advance diagnostic solutions through scientific engagement and education. Her work has contributed to raising awareness and addressing key challenges in infectious disease diagnostics through public education, professional presentations, and media outreach.
Course Includes
- 1 Lesson
- 1 Test
- Course Certificate
MLO and Northern Illinois University (NIU), DeKalb, IL, are co-sponsors in offering continuing education units (CEUs) for this issue’s CE article. CEUs or contact hours are granted by the College of Health and Human Sciences at Northern Illinois University, which has been approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® program. Continuing education credits awarded for successful completion of this test are acceptable for the ASCP Board of Registry Continuing Competence Recognition Program. Readers who pass the test successfully (scoring 70% or higher) will receive a certificate for 1 contact hour of P.A.C.E.® credit. The fee for this continuing education test is $20. This test was prepared by Amanda Voelker, MPH, MT(ASCP), MLS, Clinical Education Coordinator, School of Health Studies, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL.
Level of Instruction: Intermediate
Passing scores of 70 percent or higher are eligible for 1 contact hour of P.A.C.E. credit. This test is no longer valid for CEUs after June 2026.
NIU is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E. ® Program.