Overview of Targeted Screening for Congenital Infection Guided by Neonatal Hearing Screening

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the most common congenital infection. It is the second leading cause of sensorineural hearing loss after genetic causes and the leading cause of motor delay. It can also cause ophthalmological or biological abnormalities (hepatic cytolysis, thrombocytopenia, etc.). Currently, routine screening during pregnancy or at birth is not recommended.

90% of infected infants are asymptomatic at birth. However, 10 to 25% of them present with hearing loss at birth or will develop it in their first years of life. This hearing loss is progressive.

In the context of deafness, detecting congenital CMV infection helps explain the cause of hearing loss (a recurring question from parents) and allows for tailored management and follow-up (progressive deafness, bilateral involvement). Its detection also enables appropriate pediatric monitoring (neurological, ophthalmological, etc.). Screening for congenital CMV infection (cCMV), guided by neonatal hearing screening, has been recommended by the French High Council for Public Health (HCSP) since 2018.

In cases of confirmed congenital CMV infection, an ophthalmological examination (fundus examination), hearing test, brain imaging, and blood tests are performed.

The investigators wish to collect data from targeted screening for congenital CMV infection at the Strasbourg University Hospitals (HUS) to ensure comprehensiveness and to study CMV-related conditions in these screened children.