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ECHO Initiative Events
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New Live Webinars:
NEW Coffee Break
Mini-Webinar
Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017
1:00 p.m. EDT
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New OAE Training
Web Class:
Four Sessions
:
October 16, 19, 23,
and 26, 2017
1 p.m. EDT
Link to Previous Recorded Webinars:
If you've missed any of
our previous webinars,
click here to access our library of previously recorded webinars.
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I
f your program is new to OAE screening, or if you have added new staff who need instruction on OAE
screening practices,
visit our
where staff can view instructional video modules and access the corresponding
resources.
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Quick Links
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|  Find more helpful hints from previous issues of Probes and Tips and many other
resources at: www.kidshearing.org |
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What to Know About Congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and
Hearing Loss
Hearing loss in children with congenital CMV can be present at birth or develop later. An estimated 15%-20% of all cases of moderate to profound hearing loss among children is due to congenital CMV. About 1 in 7 babies born with CMV infection (about 15%) may develop hearing loss before 5 years of age even though they have no noticeable signs at birth. Identifying these children is one major reason that early care and education pro
grams
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NATIONAL
CMV
FOUNDATION
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need to provide
quality hearing scr
eening throughout early childhood.
In addition, programs can help to prevent hearing loss and other disabilities by sharing important information with women of child-bearing age on how to minimize exposure to CMV during pregnancy. Women working in early care and education settings, and the women they interact with as a part of serving children and families, will all benefit from understanding how a common virus that does not present a threat to healthy adults or children can harm an unborn child.
CMV is very common in the general population and up to 70% of children under 3 years of age may carry it. Healthy children who acquire CMV from their peers will not suffer any negative consequence such as hearing loss. The danger is when pregnant women contract the virus and it is passed
through the placenta to the developing baby.
A developing baby's exposure to CMV in utero can result in a range of disabilities. Pregnant women who care for young children, either at home or in workplace settings, are particularly at risk for being exposed to CMV through contact with an infected child's saliva or urine.
Fortunately, there are simple things that women can do to minimize their risk of contracting CMV. As outlined by the National CMV Foundation, taking these simple precautions will reduce the transmission of the virus and thereby increase women's chances of having a healthy baby:
- Wash Your Hands. Wash your hands often with soap and water for 15-20 seconds, especially after the following activities:
- Wiping a young child's nose or drool
- Do Not Share Food, Utensils, Drinks or Straws. Saliva may remain on food, cups or cutlery and could transfer a CMV infection to you and your unborn baby. Although it may be easier to feed your child from your own plate or you do not want to waste remaining food from your child's plate, it is best not to share food or cutlery.
- Do Not Put a Pacifier in Your Mouth. How many of us are guilty of wanting to clean our child's pacifier by putting it in our mouth? Or, your hands are full and you put the pacifier in your mouth just to hold it for a moment? Saliva on your child's pacifier may transfer CMV to you and your unborn baby. Try to get in the habit of putting a pacifier on your pinky, not in your mouth.
- Avoid Contact with Saliva when Kissing a Child. Try not to kiss a child under six years of age on the lips or cheek to avoid contact with saliva. Instead, kiss them on the forehead or top of the head and give them a big, long hug.
- Do Not Share a Toothbrush. Toddlers love to imitate everything Mommy does, including pretending to brush their teeth with Mommy's toothbrush. Store your toothbrush in an area that your child cannot reach.
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Do you need further information about congenital CMV or other potential causes of hearing loss in young children?
Let us know at:
And, as always, share
www.KidsHearing.org
with anyone you think would benefit from our resources.
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2615 Old Main Hill
Logan, UT 84322
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