Congenital Cytomegalovirus (cCMV) and Deaf Children

Content

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the commonest congenital infection and is the leading non-genetic cause of sensorineural hearing loss, yet awareness amongst the public and health professionals is low.

This webinar combined talks from the medical, parent and TOD perspective. It covered the basic facts about CMV and CMV-related hearing loss, the diagnosis and management of congenital CMV, parent and TOD experiences, and the support/information available from CMV Action.

Target Audience

Teachers of the deaf, Speech and language therapists, Audiologists, Support staff.

Presenters

Dr Simone Walter, Consultant Audiovestibular Physician, St Helier Hospital, Surrey

I am a Consultant Audiovestibular Physician working in SW London. I did my medical degree in Newcastle and worked in paediatrics before training in Audiovestibular Medicine in London. I did some research on congenital CMV and hearing loss and am a member of a London-based multidisciplinary congenital CMV research group.

Dr Tamsin Holland Brown, Community Paediatrician, Cambridge

I am a paediatrician in Cambridge specialising in community paediatrics and children’s hearing. I did my medical degree at St George’s Hospital London, and paediatric training at St Thomas’s & Guy’s Hospitals. I have been involved in setting up CMV pathway in Cambridge and writing the East of England guidelines for earlier CMV detection and management, which is the focus of my presentation.

Sarah Dewar, Chair of CMV Action

I am the Chair of CMV Action and am also a support volunteer. I have a son who was diagnosed with the virus at the age of 3 years and is now 23, profoundly deaf with other CMV related problems. CMV Action is the only charity offering advice and support to pregnant women and families affected by congenital CMV. We aim to raise public and professional awareness of the virus in addition to offering support. We have a website www.cmvaction.org.uk which has many resources for families and professionals.

Natalie Battle - Parent of cCMV child & Qualified Teacher of the Deaf

My son was diagnosed with congenital CMV, at the age of 22 months, following investigations into the cause of his profound hearing loss. Tom is now 12 years old and attends mainstream school, with support from Sensory Support Assistants. Inspired by his Teacher of the Deaf, I decided to move from mainstream secondary teaching into deaf education and have been working as a Peripatetic Teacher of the Deaf for the past 8 years. I am passionate about raising awareness about THIS virus and the devastating impact it can have on babies, children and their families.