Evaluating speech dysfunction in patients with congenital cytomegalovirus - A multicenter retrospective study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Audiology
• Speech-Language Pathology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is a leading cause of non-genetic sensorineural hearing loss in newborns.
• While cCMV's impact on hearing is well-documented, its effects on speech and language development, particularly in the absence of hearing impairment, remain under-researched.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the demographics of cCMV patients.
• To determine the rates of speech therapy referral and identify speech dysfunction in cCMV patients.
• To analyze speech outcomes in cCMV patients within two major North Carolina health systems.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective chart review was conducted across two academic medical centers.
• Sixty-nine patients diagnosed with cCMV were identified.
• Data collected included patient demographics, referral patterns, and documented speech dysfunction.

Main Results:

• Nearly half (49.3%) of cCMV patients exhibited speech dysfunction, with constitutional speech delay being the most common diagnosis.
• A significant portion (26.5%) of cCMV patients with speech dysfunction had normal hearing.
• Referral to speech-language pathology (SLP) services was high (88.2%), with most attending sessions and showing documented improvement.

Conclusions:

• This study highlights a higher prevalence of speech dysfunction in cCMV patients than previously reported, including in those with normal hearing.
• Speech therapy interventions were initiated within recommended early intervention timeframes.
• Recommendations emphasize the importance of early speech evaluations for all cCMV patients, irrespective of hearing status, to optimize developmental outcomes.