Who would request this test?
   Services (NICU, Pediatric Hospitalist) that coordinate newborn care

How to order the test?
   Contact Client Services - 866-844-2522 or
   Refer to the CMVPCR, Congenital Neonatal Screen test entry in the UIDL Test Directory

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is one of the “TORCH” infections that are passed from mother to fetus in utero. PCR replaces viral culture for the diagnosis of congenital CMV (cCMV). Testing is performed from a convenient, dedicated dry buccal swab that must be obtained at least two hours after breast feeding. Before ordering testing, patients should fail both a screening and confirmatory newborn hearing exam. Testing should occur before 21 days of age in order for interventions to be initiated in timely fashion. Because the second hearing exam often occurs in an outpatient setting, postage-prepaid mail-in kits with instructions for home collection of samples are available from the UIHC Microbiology Laboratory at (319) 356-2591, who can also answer questions about collection, transport and ordering. More information about cCMV and the Iowa law requiring cCMV testing for this patient population can be found at Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) website.