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Research shows expanded screening for a specific virus can be successfully implemented within hospitals
Researchers at Cleveland Clinic Children’s have developed a new screening program for congenital cytomegalovirus, the most common infection passed from mothers to babies during pregnancy. While many babies with congenital cytomegalovirus have no obvious symptoms, some can develop hearing loss, developmental delays or other medical complications as they grow.
Results published today in Pediatrics revealed the screening program identified 34 babies with congenital cytomegalovirus, increasing detection rates by approximately 2.5 times.
Despite expanding screening requirements across the United States, there is no consensus guidance on screening approach, resulting in wide variations in implementation. Cleveland Clinic Children’s added the new screening program –consisting first of a swab, then, if needed, a urine sample– across Cleveland Clinic locations in Ohio between 2022 and 2025. During that time, more than 50,000 babies were born at Cleveland Clinic locations, and nearly 7,500 were screened while in the nursery or neonatal intensive care units, increasing annual testing from about 150 babies per year to more than 2,000.
“Our findings show that this screening is practical and effective,” said Frank Esper, M.D., senior author and pediatric infectious diseases specialist at Cleveland Clinic Children’s. “Identifying affected babies earlier allows for monitoring and ultimately treatment, helping to improve long-term outcomes.”
In the United States, congenital cytomegalovirus testing is not routinely performed on every newborn. Standard practice is that screening takes place after a failed hearing test, if the baby is symptomatic, or if there are maternal complications. However, according to the National Institutes of Health, more than 40% of children with congenital cytomegalovirus-related hearing loss pass their initial newborn hearing screen, which advocates argue makes the case for universal testing of all babies regardless of hearing status.
Cleveland Clinic Children’s is a part of the Cleveland Clinic health system and offers full medical, surgical and rehabilitative care for infants, children and adolescents. Cleveland Clinic Children’s supports 389 beds in four acute care hospitals and one post-acute specialty hospital. In addition, pediatric services are available at more than 50 outpatient clinic locations across Northeast Ohio. A staff of more than 400 full-time pediatricians and sub-specialists see more than one million pediatric visits each year and provide hospital care for 13,000 children per year. Cleveland Clinic Children’s is a non-profit, multi-specialty academic medical center integrating clinical care, research, and education. Cleveland Clinic Children’s consistently ranks among the “Best Children’s Hospitals” by U.S. News & World Report. Visit us online at www.clevelandclinic.org/childrens and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/clevelandclinicchildrens.
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation, Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. Cleveland Clinic is consistently recognized in the U.S. and throughout the world for its expertise and care. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 83,000 employees worldwide are more than 6,600 salaried physicians and researchers, and 21,900 registered nurses and advanced practice providers, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic is a 6,725-bed health system that includes a 173-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 23 hospitals, 300 outpatient facilities, including locations in northeast Ohio; Florida; Las Vegas, Nevada; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2025, there were 15.9 million outpatient encounters, 343,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 336,000 surgeries and procedures throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at x.com/CleClinicNews. News and resources are available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.
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