U of M Study Shows Enhanced Accuracy of CMV Detection Method in Newborn Screening

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the most common newborn infections found in the United States and internationally, causing a variety of birth defects that can lead to long-term disability and deafness. Though CMV is so prevalent, it is currently not one of the 60 infections tested for during newborn screenings. Newborn screenings use a heel prick and drops of blood to screen for a wide variety of newborn infections, but until recently, this method has been shown to be ineffective in reliably detecting CMV.

Mark Schleiss, MD, Professor in the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at the University of Minnesota, and colleagues led a study showing that with new techniques, dried blood collected during newborn screenings can be used to detect CMV. Dr. Schleiss’s study showed that this testing technique could detect the newborn infection with up to 90% accuracy, providing doctors with a reliable and efficient test for this serious disease. This could allow for earlier detection and treatment prevention that could hopefully decrease the risk of long term effects. To read more about the study and Dr. Schleiss’s work, please follow this link.

For additional information from the University of Minnesota on Dr. Schleiss's work, follow this link.