Chances and challenges in the prevention and treatment of early childhood hearing loss: the AWMF guideline on congenital CMV infection

After genetic causes, congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection is the leading infectious cause of congenital and early childhood hearing loss. The 2025 German S2k guideline on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of CMV infection in pregnant women and congenital CMV infection in neonates and children published by the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (Arbeitsgemeinschaft der...

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Audiologists and ENTs should be aware of this AWMF S2k guideline on congenital CMV as the leading infectious cause of childhood hearing loss; clinics serving pediatric populations should review its diagnostic and referral pathways, particularly regarding newborn CMV screening and antiviral treatment windows.

Congenital CMV is the single largest infectious driver of childhood hearing loss globally, and a formal national guideline signals a push to standardize early detection and intervention that could reduce preventable hearing disability.

1. 01Congenital CMV (cCMV) is identified as the leading infectious cause of early childhood hearing loss.
2. 02The AWMF S2k guideline (2025) addresses prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cCMV.
3. 03S2k guidelines are consensus-based expert recommendations, not derived from RCT evidence alone.
4. 04Antiviral treatment windows in newborns are time-sensitive, making early diagnosis critical.
5. 05Guideline has direct implications for newborn hearing screening follow-up protocols.

PMID

42867519

DOI

10.1007/s00106-026-01809-2.

Journal

HNO

Publication type

guideline

Evidence level

5

Population

Neonates and infants at risk of or diagnosed with congenital CMV infection

Intervention

Prevention, diagnosis, and antiviral treatment of congenital CMV infection