Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a virus which not many people have heard of. However, nearly 1 in 3 children are infected by age five and by 40, over 50% of adults carry the virus.
Many newborns with Congenital Cytomegalovirus (cCMV) are born without symptoms. These children are the ones with the best prognosis, although they still have a significant risk of non-genetic hearing loss. Some children present at birth with symptoms such as a rash, jaundice, low birth weight, seizures or other symptoms. Those born displaying symptoms have a risk of life-long disabilities beyond hearing loss including cerebral palsy, developmental and motor delays, and vision loss.
There are some medicinal treatments for newborns with cCMV that can help reduce risks of later disability. However medicine doesn’t entirely eliminate these risks, so parents of children with a cCMV diagnosis should seek out resources to help their child grow and develop as normally as possible. If you haven’t received a referral from your pediatrician, reach out to your local Early Intervention program. If your cCMV kiddo is struggling to meet any of his milestones or if you have any other questions about how to support your kiddo’s growth and development reach out for an evaluation. Our therapists at Kid Physical have over 32 combined years experience offering specialized, holistic healthcare for children of all ages. Our top priority is providing support for both caregivers and children so that they can reach their highest potential.