Intelligence and Academic Achievement With Asymptomatic Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection

Abstract

Objectives To examine intelligence, language, and academic achievement through 18 years of age among children with congenital CMV infection identified through hospital-based newborn screening who were asymptomatic at birth compared to uninfected infants. Methods We used growth curve modeling to analyze trends in intelligence quotient (full-scale, verbal and non-verbal intelligence), receptive and expressive vocabulary, and academic achievement in math and reading. Separate models were fit for each outcome, modeling the change in overall scores with increasing age for case-patients with normal hearing (n=78) or with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) diagnosed by 2 years of age (n=11) and controls (n=40). Results Case-patients with SNHL had full-scale intelligence and receptive vocabulary scores that were 7.0 and 13.1 points lower, respectively, compared to controls, but no significant differences were noted in these scores among case-patients with normal hearing and controls. No significant differences were noted in scores for verbal and non-verbal intelligence, expressive vocabulary, and academic achievement in math and reading among case-patients with normal hearing or with SNHL and controls. Conclusions Infants with asymptomatic congenital CMV infection identified through newborn screening with normal hearing by age 2 years do not appear to have differences in intelligence quotient, vocabulary or academic achievement scores during childhood or adolescence compared with uninfected children.

Geographic and Racial Disparities in Infant Hearing Loss

“…Asymptomatically infected children appear to have academic outcomes comparable to uninfected children. 18 Additional methods may be needed to identify late-onset hearing loss in children known to be CMV infected. Finally, our study suggests that systems need to be put in place to ensure that hearing loss can be confirmed, ultimately helping affected infants get the medical evaluations and early interventions they need.…”

Hearing Trajectory in Children with Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection

“…32 Although the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing in 2007 endorsed audiologic monitoring of children identified with congenital CMV infection 33 , a consensus including how often, for how long, or by whom testing should be performed is needed. 20 Infants with congenital CMV infection, regardless the presence of other signs at birth, who pass newborn hearing screening often develop SNHL which can progress to severe or profound levels in early childhood.…”

Prenatal cytomegalovirus, rubella, and Zika virus infections associated with developmental disabilities: past, present, and future

“…27 These children who are asymptomatic at birth typically have intelligence and academic performance similar to population norms. [33][34][35] This realization of delayed-onset hearing loss highlights that this (and other) congenital infections may have more subtle consequences that are not evident at birth and may require investigation later in childhood. Long-term outcomes of children with congenital cytomegalovirus continue to be an active area for research.…”