Innovative Dried Blood Spot Test Effectively Detects Congenital Cytomegalovirus at Birth
A groundbreaking study shows that dried blood spot testing is an effective, simple method for early detection of congenital cytomegalovirus in newborns, enabling timely interventions and better health outcomes.
Recent research conducted by the University of Minnesota Medical School has demonstrated that using dried blood spot (DBS) testing is a reliable and efficient method for identifying newborns with congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection. Published in JAMA Network Open, this study indicates that PCR-based testing on routine dried blood samples collected shortly after birth can accurately detect cCMV, a common virus passed from mother to child during pregnancy. Approximately 1 in 200 infants are affected by cCMV, and about 20% of these babies are likely to experience long-term health issues such as developmental delays and hearing loss.
The significance of these findings lies in the practicality of the DBS test, which utilizes samples already collected during standard newborn screening procedures. Unlike traditional tests that require urine or saliva samples—methods that can be more invasive, costly, and stressful for families—the PCR-based DBS test offers a simple, fast, and cost-effective alternative. It successfully identifies over 90% of symptomatic CMV cases, enabling early intervention for at-risk infants.
Dr. Mark Schleiss and his team highlighted the importance of universal screening for cCMV, especially since early detection can prevent or mitigate severe developmental issues. Notably, Minnesota became the first state in the U.S. to implement statewide screening for all newborns in 2023, influenced by this research and parental advocacy efforts.
While the current DBS method provides strong predictive accuracy, researchers aim to refine and improve the test to reach 100% sensitivity. Implementing such advancements could be a game-changer in neonatal care, ensuring timely treatment and support for affected infants. This approach signals a new era in newborn health screening, emphasizing the importance of early detection and intervention.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-dried-blood-reliably-congenital-cytomegalovirus.html
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