Review and fund newborn screening tests for cytomegalovirus (CMV)

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Review and fund newborn screening tests for cytomegalovirus (CMV)

Petition Details

CMV is a common virus that can infect people of all ages, causing no signs/symptoms. If a pregnant woman catches the virus it can be passed on to her unborn baby. Around 1:200 babies are born with CMV, many with no symptoms at birth, and may go on to develop hearing loss or developmental problems.

Additional Information

CMV is the leading cause of non-genetic sensorineural hearing loss and in the first 28 days of life, a baby can be treated with anti-viral medication. If babies are not diagnosed they miss this treatment opportunity to limit some of the long-term impacts of the virus.

A recent report concluded that congenital CMV costs the economy £750 million a year. Newborn screening would quickly identify those who need to be treated and monitored, saving on these costs and untold heartache to families.

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