Leading the fight against congenital CMV

Who we are

The National CMV Foundation is thje driving force in the fight against congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV)—the leading infectious cause of birth defects and developmental disabilities in the United States. Since 2014, we’ve united families, clinicians, researchers, and policymakers to raise awareness, advance prevention strategies, and push for bold research and policy change.

What is congenital CMV?

Cytomegalovirus (sy·toe·MEG·a·low·vy·rus) or CMV is a common virus that is generally harmless. A CMV infection usually causes no symptoms in typical healthy people and is rarely a cause for concern.

However, when a pregnant person catches CMV, the virus can cross the placenta and infect the growing fetus. When a fetus is infected in-utero, this is called congenital CMV .

Congenital CMV infections most often do not cause harm to the fetus, but in some cases congenital CMV can result in pregnancy loss, developmental disabilities or medical conditions in the baby once born. Learn more about how to reduce the risk of catching CMV in pregnancy, possible outcomes and how to support children and families impacted by cCMV.

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1 out of 3

infections during pregnancies the will pass through the placenta infecting the fetus

1 Child

is permanently disabled by congenital CMV every hour

statistic image — children are born with congenital CMV each year

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Prevention

There are simple and effective prevention measures you and your loved ones can take to mitigate the risk of CMV transmission during pregnancy. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor about CMV.

5 Simple Tips to Help Prevent CMV

do not share food, utensils, drinks or straws

do not put a pacifier in your mouth

avoid contact with saliva when kissing a child

do not share a toothbrush

wash your hands

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Personal Stories

The doctors knew Cameron's problem was viral, but they couldn't pinpoint the virus. Finally, after about 2 days, my placenta lab test came back and it was infected with CMV. I was so relieved that Cameron was going to survive, but I was not ready for the next bombshell. The NICU doctor told us that as a result of is brain damage, Cameron would not be able to “walk, talk or learn."”
— Julie, Mother

The TORCH screen showed that I had been exposed to a primary infection of the Cytomegalovirus. CMV causes the most damage to babies whose mothers contract it for the first time while pregnant. I never knew that because I had a toddler in daycare, that I was at a greater risk for exposure. ”
— Lynn, Mother

On January 8th, 2012, at 6:10 AM, CMV took my daughter’s life. CMV stole any opportunity for my daughter to be an older sister to her two little brothers. CMV stole my future with her. Forever missing my daughter, I will continue to raise awareness of this virus so that other families may be saved from the experience of losing a child.”
— Briar, Mother

We feel so blessed and fortunate, for her, that she is not worse than she is. That does not mean, by any stretch of the imagination that we are blessed or fortunate she is where she is. We strive and push daily to reach goals and accomplishments that we were told she wouldn't do. ”
— Tessa, her mother

There is so much I want to do; I just need to figure out how to do it in this body that I cannot necessarily control. But just you wait— you are going to be amazed at what I will be able to accomplish! I won't let CMV get me down.”
— Heather, Mother

I tell every pregnant woman I know to get tested. I was so blindsided and had never heard about CMV. I sometimes think back to what I could have done differently. I don't know if there is something. I know God gave us Liam for a reason. I look at his smiling face everyday and find nothing but joy.”
— Polly, Mother

To find out months and years down the road that this virus is common but preventable makes me so angry sometimes, but so happy to know that the education I have received now, can prevent other families for enduring what we have. ”
— Erica, Mother

He has 3 calcifications on his brain, is deaf in the right ear, has a speech delay, and autism. He goes to regular high school in special classes. He is in typical choir. He is in the musical at the high school.”
— Teresa, his mother