I learned about CMV when I started working as a newborn hearing screener for M Health Fairview in the Twin Cities. If a baby failed the newborn hearing screening twice, I talked to families about why the CMV test had to be done. I then notified their nurse of their results and asked them to do the test. If the result came back positive, we had a good idea about the cause of their hearing loss.

But not every baby with CMV is born with hearing loss.

After a year of doing newborn hearing screenings, Minnesota started universal screenings for CMV. This meant that every newborn baby would be tested for CMV, regardless of their hearing screening status. Infants could be identified and hearing could be monitored, as we know that hearing loss can be progressive, or fluctuate. Not only that, but cCMV can cause vision loss, developmental delays, and balance issues.

I'm now halfway through graduate school for audiology. I see patients with cCMV multiple times a week. Most parents haven't ever heard of CMV despite its huge impact in their child's life. What strikes me is the loneliness parents describe at early visits. They have a newborn, this shocking diagnosis, and so much unknown. There is a huge community of children with cCMV, but CMV isn't talked about.

Congenital CMV (cCMV) is common: 1 in 200 babies is born with it. 
It’s serious: every day, over 10 babies will develop lifelong disabilities like hearing or vision loss, cerebral palsy, or developmental delays. 
It’s life-changing: CMV can cause epilepsy, microcephaly, or even death. 
And, it’s shockingly unknown: 91% of expecting mothers have never heard of it.

More states need the infrastructure to screen, diagnose, follow-up, and support these children and their families. Not only that, but the more awarenss we can bring, the more we can prevent cCMV from occuring in the first place! Join me to raise awareness, fund prevention, and support families who have been impacted by cCMV. The National CMV Foundation is working hard to change this, but they can’t do it alone.

Here’s how you can help:

• Donate: Every dollar brings us closer to prevention, education, and a cure.

• Share: Spread the word. Awareness is action.

Thank you for supporting me

Together, we can #stopcmv.

FAQ:

WHAT IS CMV?
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a a common virus that's typically harmless. When a pregnant person has CMV and their fetus is born with CMV, this is called congenital CMV (cCMV). cCMV can result in pregnancy loss, developmental disabilities or medical conditions in the baby once born. 

What can I do to prevent the spread of CMV?

1. Do not share food, utensils, drinks or straws

2. Do not put a pacifier in your mouth

3. Avoid contact with saliva when kissing a child

4. Do not share a toothbrush

5. Wash your hands!

I'm participating in Strides 4 CMV, the National CMV Foundation’s worldwide 5K, because every child deserves a healthy start—and too many families are blindsided by a virus they’ve never even heard of.