The risk of SNHL increased with DBS viral load. Further studies should investigate whether DBS CMV testing has a role in identifying asymptomatic congenitally infected neonates at risk of SNHL, and whether antiviral treatment can reduce this risk.

Targeted salivary screening for cCMV within the NHSP is feasible, acceptable and detects infants with cCMV-related SNHL who could benefit from early treatment.

Substantial progress has recently been made in diagnosis and treatment. If additional financial support were to be made available to evaluate existing vaccine candidates in controlled clinical trials, congenital cytomegalovirus could potentially become a vaccine-preventable disease.