The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of vestibular and/or postural balance alterations in children with congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) and to determine the association between the infection and these impairments compared to a control group.
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
Audiologists managing children with congenital CMV should routinely consider vestibular assessment, as this systematic review indicates vestibular dysfunction and postural imbalance are prevalent in this population.
Vestibular involvement in cCMV is often under-recognized; a systematic review synthesizing prevalence data can prompt broader adoption of vestibular screening protocols in this high-risk pediatric group.
- 01Systematic review of vestibular dysfunction and postural balance problems in children with congenital CMV infection.
- 02Inner-ear (cochlear and vestibular) damage from cCMV may co-occur, making combined audiological-vestibular assessment important.
- 03Published in Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research (2026).
- 04Findings support adding vestibular evaluation to the standard cCMV follow-up pathway for children.
- 05Prevalence estimates synthesized across multiple studies provide stronger evidence than single studies.
Vestibular dysfunction is prevalent in children with congenital CMV infection.
studysupportedPostural balance alterations are associated with congenital CMV infection in children.
studysupported- PMID
- 42139663
- DOI
- 10.1044/2026_JSLHR-25-00586.
- Journal
- Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research
- Publication type
- systematic_review
- Evidence level
- 2a
- Population
- Children with congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection
- Intervention
- Systematic review of vestibular function and postural balance assessments in cCMV-affected children
Primary outcomes
Prevalence of vestibular dysfunction in children with cCMV; Prevalence of postural balance alterations in children with cCMV