Speech Outcomes in Congenital Cytomegalovirus - A Multicenter Review

Monday, October 13, 2025

3:06 PM - 3:12 PM EDT

Location: 233-234

Disclosure(s):

Avani S. Vasireddy, BA:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Eileen M. Raynor, MD:

faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Introduction: Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is the leading cause of nongenetic sensorineural hearing loss in children. Despite the known impact of cCMV on hearing, the implications on speech have been understudied. In the absence of hearing loss, 2% of cCMV patients may still have speech and language impairment. This study will describe demographics of cCMV patients, rates of SLP referral, and speech outcomes within two of North Carolina’s largest Health Systems.

Methods: A multisite retrospective chart review of patients was performed to identify cCMV patients. 69 patients were identified, 20 from Duke University Medical Center and 49 from University of North Carolina Health Systems. Data obtained included patient demographics, referrals, and speech outcomes.

Results: Of 69 patients, 34 (49.3%) had evidence of speech dysfunction. These included constitutional speech delay (44.9%), articulation (2.9%), dysarthria (1.4%), apraxia (1.4%), and dysphasia (1.4%). Of those with speech dysfunction, 9 (13%) showed evidence for dysfunction in the presence of normal hearing. 43.5% of all patients with speech dysfunction were offered a SLP referral, with 39.1% attending a session. Mean age at speech therapy initiation was 5.5 years. Those that attended had a 77.8% rate of improvement in speech.

Conclusions: This is the largest US-based study on cCMV speech outcomes, with findings suggesting a higher rate of speech dysfunction than previously reported. Age of speech therapy initiation averaged later than the 1–3-year early intervention recommendation from the AAP. Recommendations to receive early SLP referrals, regardless of hearing loss, may enhance speech outcomes in this population.

Presenting Author(s)

AV

Avani S. Vasireddy, BA

Medical Student
Duke University School of Medicine
Durham, North Carolina, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

Co-Author(s)

Alexander D. Cherches, BS

Medical Student
Duke University School of Medicine
Durham, NC, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
Celia B. Mizelle, MD

Resident
UColorado SOM
DENVER, CO, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
MO

Monica T. Ogunsusi, n/a

Monica T. Ogunsusi
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Riverdale, GA, USA

Disclosure information not submitted.
Kristal M. Riska, AuD, PhD

Associate Professor HNS&CS
Duke University
Durham, NC, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.

Senior Author(s)

Eileen M. Raynor, MD

Professor HNSCS
Duke Health
Durham, NC, United States

Disclosure(s):
faculty for this accredited education activity has no relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.