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Purpose To examine how health care providers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices affect their referrals to the National Diabetes Prevention Program. Design Cross-sectional, self-report data from DocStyles—a web-based survey Setting USA Sample Practicing family practitioners, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and internists, n = 1,503. Measures Questions regarding health care providers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices and their referrals to the National Diabetes Prevention Program. Analysis Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to calculate predictive margins and the average marginal effect. Results Overall, 15.2% of health care providers ( n = 1,503) reported making a referral to the National Diabetes Prevention Program. Health care providers were more likely to make referrals if they were familiar with the program (average marginal effect = 36.0%, 95% CI: 29.1%, 42.8%), reported knowledge of its availability (average marginal effect=49.1%, 95% CI: 40.2%, 57.9%), believed it was important to make referrals to the program (average marginal effect = 20.7%, 95% CI: 14.4%, 27.0%), and used electronic health records to manage patients with prediabetes (average marginal effect = 9.1%, 95% CI: 5.4%, 12.7%). Health care providers’ demographic characteristics had little to no association with making referrals. Conclusion Making referrals to the National Diabetes Prevention Program was associated with health care providers’ knowledge of the program and its reported availability, their attitudes, and their use of the electronic health record system to manage patients with prediabetes.

Purpose The purpose of the study was to examine how gender was related to enrollment and number of sessions attended in the National Diabetes Prevention Program’s Lifestyle Change Program (DPP LCP). Methods To better understand program uptake, a population of those who would be eligible for the LCP was compared to those who enrolled. Estimates of those eligible were computed using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, whereas enrollment and sessions attended were computed using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Diabetes Prevention Recognition Program. Results Results revealed that although similar numbers of males and females were eligible for the program, only 39 321 males versus 121 007 females had enrolled in the National DPP LCP by the end of 2017 (odds ratio = 3.20; 95% CI, 3.17-3.24). The gender differences persisted even when stratifying by age or race/ethnicity. In contrast, no significant gender differences were found between the average number of sessions attended for males (14.0) and females (13.8). Discussion Results of the study can help inform efforts to market and tailor programs to appeal more directly to men and other groups that are underrepresented in the National DPP LCP.

OBJECTIVE To assess retention in the National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) lifestyle change program, which seeks to prevent type 2 diabetes in adults at high risk. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We analyzed retention among 41,203 individuals who enrolled in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-recognized in-person lifestyle change programs at organizations that submitted data to CDC’s Diabetes Prevention Recognition Program during January 2012–February 2017. RESULTS Weekly attrition rates were typically 0% to 0 to CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate the need to identify strategies to improve retention, especially among individuals who are younger or are members of racial/ethnic minority populations and among those who report less physical activity or less early weight loss. Strategies that address retention after the first session and during the transition from weekly to monthly sessions offer the greatest opportunity for impact.

The aim of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) is to make an evidence-based lifestyle change program widely available to the more than 88 million American adults at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. The National DPP allows for program delivery using four delivery modes: in person, online, distance learning, and combination. The objective of this study was to analyze cumulative enrollment in the National DPP by delivery mode. We included all participants who enrolled in CDC-recognized organizations delivering the lifestyle change program between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2019, and whose data were submitted to CDC’s Diabetes Prevention Recognition Program. During this time, the number of participants who enrolled was 455,954. Enrollment, by delivery mode, was 166,691 for in-person; 269,004 for online; 4,786 for distance-learning; and 15,473 for combination. In-person organizations enrolled the lowest proportion of men (19.4%) and the highest proportions of non-Hispanic Black/African American (16.1%) and older (65+ years) participants (28.2%). Online organizations enrolled the highest proportions of men (27.1%), younger (18-44 years) participants (41.5%), and non-Hispanic White participants (70.3%). Distance-learning organizations enrolled the lowest proportion of Hispanic/Latino participants (9.0%). Combination organizations enrolled the highest proportions of Hispanic/Latino participants (37.3%) and participants who had obesity (84.1%). Most in-person participants enrolled in organizations classified as community-centered entities (41.4%) or medical providers (31.2%). Online and distance-learning participants were primarily enrolled (93.3% and 70.2%, respectively) in organizations classified as for-profit businesses or insurers. Participants in combination programs were enrolled almost exclusively in organizations classified as medical providers (89%). The National DPP has reached nearly half a million participants since its inception in 2012, but continued expansion is critical to stem the tide of type 2 diabetes among the many Americans at high risk.

OBJECTIVES: Anemia is a public health problem in women of reproductive age in many low- and medium-income countries including India. Maternal anemia can cause low birth weight, impaired fetal growth, and preterm birth. We assessed the baseline prevalence of anemia, iron deficiency (ID), iron deficiency anemia (IDA), and inflammation using c-reactive protein (CRP) among non-pregnant, non-lactating women of reproductive age living in the Ambala District, Haryana, India prior to the start of a wheat flour fortification program. METHODS: We conducted a multistage cluster probability household and biomarker survey and analyzed venous blood samples from non-pregnant, non-lactating women aged 18–49 years residing in rural areas of two subdistricts in the Ambala District. Factors of interest were: anemia, hemoglobin 5 mg/L. We used the BRINDA regression adjustment for ferritin to account for inflammation. Prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for anemia, ID, IDA, and CRP were estimated. RESULTS: Among 775 non-pregnant, non-lactating women of reproductive age, 54.3% (95% CI; 50.7, 58.0) had anemia, 86.9% (95% CI; 84.3, 89.2) were iron deficient, and 15.1% (95% CI; 12.5, 18.1) had inflammation. Among those with anemia, 58.2% (95 CI; 54.3, 62.0) had iron deficiency anemia. CONCLUSIONS: Anemia, iron deficiency, and iron deficiency anemia among non-pregnant, non-lactating women of reproductive age in Haryana are significant public health concerns. The findings from the survey helped quantify the burden of inadequate iron intake and informed the Haryana government's prevention strategy aimed at reducing micronutrient deficiencies through a wheat flour fortification program. FUNDING SOURCES: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Research shows that education plays a critical role in participants’ commitment to public health programs. While participants’ age and race/ethnicity have been shown to be associated with attrition in the National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP), the effect of education remains uncertain. Using data from the CDC Diabetes Prevention Recognition Program, we examined the relationship between educational attainment and attrition rates. We included the study population who enrolled from March 2018 through February 2019 and had the opportunity to attend for at least one year. Cumulative attrition rates were calculated by delivery mode: in-person, online, distance-learning, and combination. Education was categorized as follows: Disclosure X. Zhang: None. M. Cannon: None. B. Ng: None. E. Ely: None. Funding Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) has been implemented nationwide, but it remains unclear how implementation varies by organization type, state, and region. To better understand this issue, we examined participant attrition rates using data from the CDC’s Diabetes Prevention Recognition Program. We included those who enrolled from March 2018 through February 2019 and had the opportunity to attend for at least one year in the study population. We limited our analyses to live-delivery organizations (i.e., in-person, distance learning, and combination) to minimize variation by delivery mode. Cumulative attrition rates were calculated by organization type (community centered entities, higher education/extensions, government, medical providers, for-profit and insurers, other), state, and region (West, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, Southeast). We used cross-tabulation method with chi-square tests. The study population (N=70,194) was 80.8% female, 71.6% white, with a mean age of 55.4 years (SD: 13.0) and mean BMI of 35.5 kg/m2 (SD: 7.3). We found that for-profit and insurer organizations had significantly higher cumulative attrition rates compared to other organization types (through Session 5: 30.3% in for-profit and insurer organizations vs. 10.8%-17.4% in the other types, p Disclosure X. Zhang: None. M. Cannon: None. B. Ng: None. E. Ely: None. Funding Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Many challenges still exist to fully scaling up food fortification in lower resource settings. To address this need, a collective group of experts in the fields of food fortification and implementation science developed a systematic process framework to provide a tool for identifying and working through challenges., Key Messages There are many countries implementing food fortification programs but not all of them are achieving their public health goals.Implementation challenges are best addressed not in an ad hoc way, but rather through a systematic approach known as implementation science.The need for implementation science research in public health nutrition programs has been well-recognized.Implementation research teams (often composed of scientists, program implementers, and funders) should work together through a systematic process of identifying and addressing gaps in the implementation of a food fortification program.This framework provides a systematic way to identify gaps in context-specific programmatic knowledge and action, formulate implementation research questions, prioritize those questions, and supply guidance on how to move forward after the conclusion and analysis of the implementation research studies., Food fortification has proven to be an effective approach for preventing micronutrient deficiencies in many settings. Factors that lead to successful fortification programs are well established. However, due to the multisectoral nature of fortification and the added complexities present in many settings, the barriers to success are not always evident and the strategies to address them are not always obvious. We developed a systematic process for identifying and addressing gaps in the implementation of a food fortification program. The framework is composed of 4 phases: (1) connect program theory of change to program implementation; (2) develop an implementation research agenda; (3) conduct implementation research; and (4) analyze findings and develop/disseminate recommendations for next steps. We detail steps in each phase to help guide teams through the process. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to outline a systematic process for applying implementation science research to food fortification. The development of this framework is intended to promote implementation research in the field of food fortification, thus improving access to and effectiveness of this key public health intervention.

To estimate the prevalence and medical expenditures of diabetes-related complications (DRCs) among adult Medicaid enrollees with diabetes.We estimated the prevalence and medical expenditures for 12 diabetes-related complications by Medicaid eligibility category (disability-based vs. non-disability-based) in eight states. We used generalized linear models with log link and gamma distribution to estimate the total per-person annual medical expenditures for DRCs, controlling for demographics, and other comorbidities.Among non-disability-based enrollees (NDBEs), 40.1% (in California) to 47.5% (in Oklahoma) had one or more DRCs, compared to 53.6% (in Alabama) to 64.8% (in Florida) among disability-based enrollees (DBEs). The most prevalent complication was neuropathy (16.1%-27.1% for NDBEs; 20.2%-30.4% for DBEs). Lower extremity amputation (1% for both eligibilities) was the least prevalent complication. The costliest per-person complication was dialysis (per-person excess annual expenditure of $22,481-$41,298 for NDBEs; $23,569-$51,470 for DBEs in 2012 USD). Combining prevalence and per-person excess expenditures, the three costliest complications were nephropathy, heart failure, and ischemic heart disease (IHD) for DBEs, compared to neuropathy, nephropathy, and IHD for NDBEs.Our study provides data that can be used for assessing the health care resources needed for managing DRCs and evaluating cost-effectiveness of interventions to prevent and management DRCs.

Primary care providers’ (PCP) referral of participants to the National Diabetes Prevention Program lifestyle change program (National DPP LCP) needs to be amplified or increased. Using data from 2016, 2017, and 2018 DocStyles surveys, we examined how barriers affect PCPs’ referral and how their practice patterns change over time. Barriers were measured by survey questions regarding PCPs’ perspectives on the importance of 1) claim adjudication processes/payment for the service; 2) interconnectivity of electronic health records (EHRs) with other systems; 3) incentives for referrals; and 4) awareness of prediabetes and National DPP LCP. A logistic model was used to analyze the trend, and the full model controlled for age, gender, practice type, and practice regions. Our analytic cohorts consist of PCPs who were selected repeatedly in two years. The 2016-2018 cohort had 502 PCPs, and the 2017-2018 cohort had 462 PCPs. In the first cohort, the referral rate decreased by 38.5%, from 23.3% in 2016 to 14.3% in 2018 (P Disclosure X. Zhang: None. M. Cannon: None. K. Nhim: None. T. Khan: None.

The National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) helps individuals with prediabetes make lifestyle changes to prevent type 2 diabetes. Some lifestyle change programs use incentives to promote health goals, but the impact of incentives in these settings has not been systematically assessed. We conducted a systematic literature review to assess the effectiveness of incentives in programs similar to the National DPP lifestyle change program. Manuscripts were included if they focused on the use of incentives in chronic disease lifestyle change programs in adults; occurred in high-to-middle income countries; were published in 2008-2019; and were written in English. Manuscripts were excluded if they focused on diet- or walking-only programs; medical interventions; screenings, pharmaceutical treatments, or one-time services; or had no comparison group. We examined the effectiveness of incentives for improving the following measures: weight, BMI, blood pressure, cholesterol, and HbA1c. We identified 21 studies that met our inclusion/exclusion criteria. Nearly all studies were randomized controlled trials, with general wellness programs in the workplace being the most common. The most common incentive characteristics by category were: type—cash (10/21); amount--$1-$25 (10/21); frequency—multiple times (17/21); amount variability—fixed (8/21); and certainty—criteria-based guaranteed (12/21). The direction of effect for incentives was favorable for 94/111 (85%) comparisons for the five health-related measures, of which 47/94 (50%) were statistically significant (p Disclosure C. Atkins: None. L. Hulbert: None. R. Skeete: None. S.L. Michael: None. B. Smith: None. M. Cannon: None.

Background Caring for young children is a known risk factor for cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection mainly through exposure to their saliva and urine. In a previous study, 36 CMV-seropositive children 2 mo. to 4 years old were categorized as CMV shedders (n = 23) or non-shedders (n = 13) based on detection of CMV DNA in their saliva and urine. The current study evaluated the presence of CMV on surfaces in homes of the children. Methods Study staff made 4 visits to homes of the 36 enrolled children over 100 days. Saliva was collected by swabbing the mouth and urine was collected on filter paper inserted into diapers. In addition, five surface specimens were collected: three in contact with children’s saliva (spoon, child’s cheek, washcloth) and two in contact with children’s urine (diaper changing table, mother’s hand). Samples were tested by PCR and viral culture to quantify the presence of CMV DNA and viable virus. Results A total of 654 surface samples from 36 homes were tested; 136 were CMV DNA positive, 122 of which (90%) were in homes of the children shedding CMV (p

Background Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common non-genetic cause of sensorineural hearing loss. Currently, there are no universal CMV screening programs for newborns or routine CMV testing of neonates with hearing loss in Australia, or elsewhere. Objectives This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of congenital CMV infection in infants with hearing loss identified using routine resources via the Australian universal neonatal hearing screening (UNHS) program. Study design Infants who failed UNHS, referred for audiological testing and found to have permanent hearing loss were screened for CMV via PCR of urine and saliva. Congenital CMV was diagnosed if CMV was detected in infants ≤30 days of age, or using retrospective testing on stored new born screening cards, retrospective testing, or using clinical criteria if >30 days of age. The cohort was analyzed for time of testing and prevalence of congenital CMV determined. Results The Audiology Department reviewed 1669 infants who failed UNHS between 2009 and 2016. Thirty percent (502/1669) had permanent hearing loss confirmed, of whom 336/502 were offered CMV testing. A definite (n = 11) or probable (n = 8) diagnosis of congenital CMV occurred in 19/323 (5.9%), of whom definite diagnoses were made in 4/19 on tests positive prior to 21 days of life, in 5/19 who were positive on neonatal blood screening card (NBSC) testing, in 2/19 who were positive on placental testing. In 8/19 probable diagnoses were made based on positive testing between ages 23–42 days and a consistent clinical syndrome in the absence of another cause for hearing loss after genetic and other testing. CMV testing mirrored the timing of audiological testing, with ∼40% completing audiology and CMV testing by 21 days, and 64% by 30 days. Conclusion This program, utilizing existing clinical services identified probable congenital CMV in ∼6% of a large cohort failing UNHS with permanent hearing loss, of whom more than half were definite diagnoses. No additional assets were required to those already existing in this tertiary referral pediatric centre, whilst providing useful and timely data for clinical and audiological management.

Objectives: We sought to understand long-term retrospective parental perceptions of the utility of newborn screening in a context where many affected children never develop sequelae but where intensive support services and ongoing healthcare were provided. Study design: Qualitative study. Methods: Focus groups and interviews among parents (N = 41) of children with congenital CMV who had been enrolled in a long-term follow-up study at a large medical college for a mean of 22 years following diagnosis. Groups included parents whose children were: symptomatic at birth; initially asymptomatic but later developed sensorineural hearing loss; and who remained asymptomatic into adulthood. Results: With proper follow-up support, newborn CMV screening was viewed positively by parents, who felt empowered by the knowledge, though parents often felt that they and healthcare providers needed more information on congenital CMV. Parents in all groups valued newborn CMV screening in the long term and believed it should be embedded within a comprehensive follow-up program. Conclusions: Despite initial distress, parents of CMV-positive children felt newborn CMV screening was a net positive. Mandatory or opt-out screening for conditions with variable presentations and treatment outcomes may be valuable in contexts where follow-up and care are readily available.

Background: Folate deficiency, vitamin B-12 deficiency, and anemia can have adverse effects on birth outcomes. Also, low vitamin B-12 reduces the formation of metabolically active folate.Objectives: We sought to establish the baseline prevalence of and factors associated with folate deficiency and insufficiency, vitamin B-12 deficiency, and anemia among women of childbearing age (WCBA) in Belize.Methods: In 2011, a national probability-based survey was completed among Belizean nonpregnant WCBA aged 15-49 y. Blood samples for determination of hemoglobin, folate (RBC and serum), and vitamin B-12 (plasma) and sociodemographic and health information were collected from 937 women. RBC and serum folate concentrations were measured by microbiologic assay (MBA). Folate status was defined based on both the WHO-recommended radioproteinbinding assay and the assay adjusted for the MBA.Results: The national prevalence estimates for folate deficiency in WCBA, based on serum and RBC folate concentrations by using the assay-matched cutoffs, were 11.0% (95% CI: 8.6%, 14.0%) and 35.1% (95% CI: 31.3%, 39.2%), respectively. By using the assay-matched compared with the WHO-recommended cutoffs, a substantially higher prevalence of folate deficiency was observed based on serum (6.9% absolute difference) and RBC folate (28.9% absolute difference) concentrations. The prevalence for RBC folate insufficiency was 48.9% (95% CI: 44.8%, 53.1%). Prevalence estimates for vitamin B-12 deficiency and marginal deficiency and anemia were 17.2% (95% CI: 14.2%, 20.6%), 33.2% (95% CI: 29.6%, 37.1%), and 22.7% (95% CI: 19.5%, 26.2%), respectively. The adjusted geometric means of the RBC folate concentration increased significantly (P-trend < 0.001) in WCBA who had normal vitamin B-12 status relative to WCBA who were vitamin B-12 deficient.Conclusions: In Belize, the prevalence of folate and vitamin B-12 deficiencies continues to be a public health concern among WCBA. Furthermore, low folate status co-occurred with low vitamin B-12 status, underlining the importance of providing adequate vitamin B-12 and folic acid intake through approaches such as mandatory food fortification.

To describe fetal and neonatal mortality due to congenital anomalies in Colombia.We analyzed all fetal and neonatal deaths due to a congenital anomaly registered with the Colombian vital statistics system during 1999-2008.The registry included 213,293 fetal deaths and 7,216,727 live births. Of the live births, 77,738 (1.08%) resulted in neonatal deaths. Congenital anomalies were responsible for 7321 fetal deaths (3.4% of all fetal deaths) and 15,040 neonatal deaths (19.3% of all neonatal deaths). The fetal mortality rate due to congenital anomalies was 9.9 per 10,000 live births and fetal deaths; the neonatal mortality rate due to congenital anomalies was 20.8 per 10,000 live births. Mortality rates due to congenital anomalies remained relatively stable during the study period. The most frequent fatal congenital anomalies were congenital heart defects (32.0%), central nervous system anomalies (15.8%), and chromosomal anomalies (8.0%). Risk factors for fetal and neonatal death included: male or undetermined sex, living in villages or rural areas, mother's age35 years, low and very low birthweight, and28 weeks gestation at birth.Congenital anomalies are an important cause of fetal and neonatal deaths in Colombia, but many of the anomalies may be preventable or treatable.

Microbial natural products represent a rich resource of evolved chemistry that forms the basis for the majority of pharmacotherapeutics. Ribosomally synthesized and posttranslationally modified peptides (RiPPs) are a particularly interesting class of natural products noted for their unique mode of biosynthesis and biological activities. Analyses of sequenced microbial genomes have revealed an enormous number of biosynthetic loci encoding RiPPs but whose products remain cryptic. In parallel, analyses of bacterial metabolomes typically assign chemical structures to only a minority of detected metabolites. Aligning these 2 disparate sources of data could provide a comprehensive strategy for natural product discovery. Here we present DeepRiPP, an integrated genomic and metabolomic platform that employs machine learning to automate the selective discovery and isolation of novel RiPPs. DeepRiPP includes 3 modules. The first, NLPPrecursor, identifies RiPPs independent of genomic context and neighboring biosynthetic genes. The second module, BARLEY, prioritizes loci that encode novel compounds, while the third, CLAMS, automates the isolation of their corresponding products from complex bacterial extracts. DeepRiPP pinpoints target metabolites using large-scale comparative metabolomics analysis across a database of 10,498 extracts generated from 463 strains. We apply the DeepRiPP platform to expand the landscape of novel RiPPs encoded within sequenced genomes and to discover 3 novel RiPPs, whose structures are exactly as predicted by our platform. By building on advances in machine learning technologies, DeepRiPP integrates genomic and metabolomic data to guide the isolation of novel RiPPs in an automated manner.

Background: The National DPP lifestyle change program (LCP) is proven to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes among adults with prediabetes. The yearlong LCP consists of a minimum of 22 coach-led group-sessions offered at weekly and then monthly intervals. Program retention is highly correlated with desired outcomes but can be challenging to achieve. Methods: We analyzed data from organizations that participate in CDC’s Diabetes Prevention Recognition Program. Specifically, we computed weekly retention proportions and used random effects models to account for confounding and organization-specific correlation. We limited our analyses to the 38,441 individuals who enrolled in CDC-recognized in-person LCPs from 2012-2017. Results: Retention typically dropped 1%-2% each week, but dropped ∼5% between weeks 1-2 and between weeks 16-17, where session frequency typically transitions from weekly to monthly. Retention at 18 weeks varied by years of age (46% for 18-29, 53% for 30-44, 60% for 45-54, 67% for 55-64, 68% for 65-75), race/ethnicity (70% for non-Hispanic whites, 60% for non-Hispanic blacks, 52% for Hispanics, 51% for Other), mean physical activity minutes (13% for 0, 49% for 1-30, 72% for 30-149, 85% for ≥150), and mean weekly percentage of body weight lost (32% for ≤0, 66% for 0-0.25, 73% for 0.25-0.5, 74% for ≥0.5). Retention did not vary by sex (63% for men, 63% for women). The random effects model results were consistent with these findings. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate the need to identify strategies to improve retention, especially among individuals who are younger or are members of racial/ethnic minority populations, and among those who report less physical activity or weight loss. Strategies that address retention after the first session and during the transition from weekly to monthly sessions, offer the biggest opportunity for impact. Disclosure S. Masalovich: None. R. Soler: None. B. Smith: None. R. Jabrah: None. E. Ely: None. M. Cannon: None.

Previous studies indicate that primary care providers’ (PCP) clinical decision making is affected by their perceptions of patient motivation. However, it is unclear how these perceptions affect PCP’s decisions to refer patients to community-based programs, such as the National Diabetes Prevention Program lifestyle change program (National DPP LCP), a structured, evidence-based, year-long lifestyle change program to prevent or delay onset of type 2 diabetes in adults with prediabetes or at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Using data from the DocStyles 2018 web-based cross-sectional survey, we examined the relationship between PCP perceptions and referral practices. The following questions were asked to ascertain PCP perceptions and referral practices respectively: 1) “I need to make sure that my patients are motivated and ready to succeed in the National DPP LCP”; and 2) “Have you referred your patients with prediabetes to the in-person or online National DPP LCP to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes?” We analyzed the data using logistic regression analysis, with the final adjusted model controlling for PCP’s age, gender, practice years, PCP practitioner type, practice setting, and region. Our study sample included 1253 PCPs (46.3% female), with a mean age of 48.4 years and a mean practice duration of 17.4 years. We found that PCPs who realized the importance of patient motivation and readiness for their referral decision were more likely to refer their patients to the National DPP LCP, in both unadjusted (odds ratio [OR]=2.59, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.85, 3.65) and adjusted (OR=2.58, 95% CI= 1.83, 3.64) models. Our findings highlight the importance of PCPs’ perceptions of patient motivation in their referral practices, suggesting that patient motivation and their PCP’s awareness of this motivation may need to be addressed to increase referrals to and enrollment in the National DPP LCP. Disclosure X. Zhang: None. M. Cannon: None. A. Lanza: None. T. Khan: None. M.C. Jackson: None. K. Nhim: None.

CDC has developed interim guidelines for health care providers in the United States who are caring for infants born to mothers who traveled to or resided in an area with Zika virus transmission during pregnancy. These guidelines include recommendations for the testing and management of these infants. Guidance is subject to change as more information becomes available; the latest information, including answers to commonly asked questions, can be found online (http://www.cdc.gov/zika). Pediatric health care providers should work closely with obstetric providers to identify infants whose mothers were potentially infected with Zika virus during pregnancy (based on travel to or residence in an area with Zika virus transmission [http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices]), and review fetal ultrasounds and maternal testing for Zika virus infection (see Interim Guidelines for Pregnant Women During a Zika Virus Outbreak*) (1). Zika virus testing is recommended for 1) infants with microcephaly or intracranial calcifications born to women who traveled to or resided in an area with Zika virus transmission while pregnant; or 2) infants born to mothers with positive or inconclusive test results for Zika virus infection. For infants with laboratory evidence of a possible congenital Zika virus infection, additional clinical evaluation and follow-up is recommended. Health care providers should contact their state or territorial health department to facilitate testing. As an arboviral disease, Zika virus disease is a nationally notifiable condition.

Introduction Diabetes imposes large health and financial burdens on Medicare beneficiaries. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed through lifestyle modification programs. In 2018, Medicare began to offer the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program (MDPP), a lifestyle intervention, to eligible beneficiaries nationwide. The number of MDPP-eligible beneficiaries is not known, but this information is essential in efforts to expand the program and increase enrollment. This study aimed to estimate the number and spatial variation of MDPP-eligible Part B beneficiaries at the county level and by urban–rural classification. Methods Data from 2011–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys and a survey-weighted logistic regression model were used to estimate proportions of prediabetes in the United States by sex, age, and race/ethnicity based on the MDPP eligibility criteria. The results from the predictive model were applied to 2015 Medicare Part B beneficiaries to estimate the number of MDPP-eligible beneficiaries. The National Center for Health Statistics’ Urban–Rural Classification Scheme for Counties from 2013 were used to define urban and rural categories. Results An estimated 5.2 million (95% CI = 3.5–7.0 million) Part B beneficiaries were eligible for the MDPP. By state, estimates ranged from 13,000 (95% CI = 8,500–18,000) in Alaska to 469,000 (95% CI = 296,000–641,000) in California. There were 2,149 counties with ≤1,000 eligible beneficiaries and 11 with >25,000. Consistent with demographic patterns, urban counties had more eligible beneficiaries than rural counties. Conclusions These estimates could be used to plan locations for new MDPPs and reach eligible Part B beneficiaries for enrollment.

Background For women of reproductive age, a population-level red blood cell (RBC) folate concentration below the threshold 906 nmol/L or 400 ng/mL indicates folate insufficiency and suboptimal neural tube defect (NTD) prevention. A corresponding population plasma/serum folate concentration threshold for optimal NTD prevention has not been established. Objective The aim of this study was to examine the association between plasma and RBC folate concentrations and estimated a population plasma folate insufficiency threshold (pf-IT) corresponding to the RBC folate insufficiency threshold (RBCf-IT) of 906 nmol/L. Methods We analyzed data on women of reproductive age (n = 1673) who participated in a population-based, randomized folic acid supplementation trial in northern China. Of these women, 565 women with anemia and/or vitamin B-12 deficiency were ineligible for folic acid intervention (nonintervention group); the other 1108 received folic acid supplementation for 6 mo (intervention group). We developed a Bayesian linear model to estimate the pf-IT corresponding to RBCf-IT by time from supplementation initiation, folic acid dosage, methyltetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) genotype, body mass index (BMI), vitamin B-12 status, or anemia status. Results Using plasma and RBC folate concentrations of the intervention group, the estimated median pf-IT was 25.5 nmol/L (95% credible interval: 24.6, 26.4). The median pf-ITs were similar between the baseline and postsupplementation samples (25.7 compared with 25.2 nmol/L) but differed moderately (±3-4 nmol/L) by MTHFR genotype and BMI. Using the full population-based baseline sample (intervention and nonintervention), the median pf-IT was higher for women with vitamin B-12 deficiency (34.6 nmol/L) and marginal deficiency (29.8 nmol/L) compared with the sufficient group (25.6 nmol/L). Conclusions The relation between RBC and plasma folate concentrations was modified by BMI and genotype and substantially by low plasma vitamin B-12. This suggests that the threshold of 25.5 nmol/L for optimal NTD prevention may be appropriate in populations with similar characteristics, but it should not be used in vitamin B-12 insufficient populations. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00207558.

Non-pregnant women can avoid alcohol-exposed pregnancies (AEPs) by modifying drinking and/or contraceptive practices. The purpose of this study was to estimate the number and characteristics of women in the United States who are at risk of AEPs. We analyzed data from in-person interviews obtained from a national probability sample (i.e., the National Survey of Family Growth) of reproductive-aged women conducted from January 2002 to March 2003. To be at risk of AEP, a woman had to have met the following criteria in the last month: (1) was drinking; (2) had vaginal intercourse with a man; and (3) did not use contraception. During a 1-month period, nearly 2 million U.S. women were at risk of an AEP (95 % confidence interval 1,760,079–2,288,104), including more than 600,000 who were binge drinking. Thus, 3.4 %, or 1 in 30, of all non-pregnant women were at risk of an AEP. Most demographic and behavioral characteristics were not clearly associated with AEP risk. However, pregnancy intention was strongly associated with AEP risk (prevalence ratio = 12.0, P < 0.001) because women often continued to drink even after they stopped using contraception. Nearly 2 million U.S. women are at AEP risk and therefore at risk of having children born with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. For pregnant women and women intending a pregnancy, there is an urgent need for wider implementation of prevention programs and policy approaches that can reduce the risk for this serious public health problem.

Congenital CMV infection is a leading cause of childhood disability. Many children born with congenital CMV infection are asymptomatic or have nonspecific symptoms and therefore are typically not diagnosed. A strategy of newborn CMV screening could allow for early detection and intervention to improve clinical outcomes. Interventions might include antiviral drugs or nonpharmaceutical therapies such as speech-language therapy or cochlear implants. Using published data from developed countries, we analyzed existing evidence of potential benefit that could result from newborn CMV screening. We first estimated the numbers of children with the most important CMV-related disabilities (i.e. hearing loss, cognitive deficit, and vision impairment), including the age at which the disabilities occur. Then, for each of the disabilities, we examined the existing evidence for the effectiveness of various interventions. We concluded that there is good evidence of potential benefit from nonpharmaceutical interventions for children with delayed hearing loss that occurs by 9 months of age. Similarly, we concluded that there is fair evidence of potential benefit from antiviral therapy for children with hearing loss at birth and from nonpharmaceutical interventions for children with delayed hearing loss occurring between 9 and 24 months of age and for children with CMV-related cognitive deficits. We found poor evidence of potential benefit for children with delayed hearing loss occurring after 24 months of age and for children with vision impairment. Overall, we estimated that in the United States, several thousand children with congenital CMV could benefit each year from newborn CMV screening, early detection, and interventions.

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) transmission can occur when women acquire CMV while pregnant. Infection control guidelines may reduce risk for transmission. We studied the duration of CMV survival after application of bacteria to the hands and after transfer from the hands to surfaces and the effectiveness of cleansing with water, regular and antibacterial soaps, sanitizer, and diaper wipes. Experiments used CMV AD169 in saliva at initial titers of 1 × 10 5 infectious particles/ml. Samples from hands or surfaces (points between 0 and 15 min) were placed in culture and observed for at least 2 weeks. Samples were also tested using CMV real-time PCR. After application of bacteria to the hands, viable CMV was recovered from 17/20 swabs at 0 min, 18/20 swabs at 1 min, 5/20 swabs at 5 min, and 4/20 swabs at 15 min. After transfer, duration of survival was at least 15 min on plastic (1/2 swabs), 5 min on crackers and glass (3/4 swabs), and 1 min or less on metal and cloth (3/4 swabs); no viable virus was collected from wood, rubber, or hands. After cleansing, no viable virus was recovered using water (0/22), plain soap (0/20), antibacterial soap (0/20), or sanitizer (0/22). Viable CMV was recovered from 4/20 hands 10 min after diaper wipe cleansing. CMV remains viable on hands for sufficient times to allow transmission. CMV may be transferred to surfaces with reduced viability. Hand-cleansing methods were effective at eliminating viable CMV from hands.

OBJECTIVES: To conduct a household and biomarker survey to assess the baseline prevalence of folate deficiency and insufficiency and vitamin B12 deficiency in women of reproductive age prior to the start of a wheat flour fortification program in the Ambala District in Haryana, India. METHODS: A multistage cluster probability household and biomarker survey was conducted. Participants were women of reproductive age (18–49 y) who were not pregnant and resided in rural areas of two subdistricts in Ambala District in Haryana. Venous blood samples were collected among 866 women. Plasma, serum, and red blood cells (RBC) were separated by centrifugation, processed, and stored at

Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a leading cause of birth defects and developmental disabilities. The objective of this study was to identify the characteristics and behaviors of mothers of children with FAS in the United States using population-based data from the FAS Surveillance Network (FASSNet). FASSNet used a multiple source methodology that identified FAS cases through passive reporting and active review of records from hospitals, specialty clinics, private physicians, early intervention programs, Medicaid, birth certificates and other vital records, birth defects surveillance programs, and hospital discharge data. The surveillance included children born during January 1, 1995-December 31, 1997. In the four states included in our analysis - Arizona, New York, Alaska, and Colorado - there were 257 confirmed cases and 96 probable cases for a total of 353 FAS cases. Compared to all mothers in the states where surveillance occurred, mothers of children with FAS were significantly more likely to be older, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Black, not Hispanic, unmarried, unemployed, and without prenatal care, to smoke during pregnancy, to have a lower educational level, and to have more live born children. A significant proportion of mothers (9-29%) had another child with suspected alcohol effects. Compared to all US mothers, they were also significantly more likely to be on public assistance, to be on Medicaid at their child's birth, to have received treatment for alcohol abuse, to have confirmed alcoholism, to have used marijuana or cocaine during pregnancy, to have their baby screen positive for alcohol or drugs at birth, to have had an induced abortion, to have had a history of mental illness, to have been involved in binge drinking during pregnancy, and to have drunk heavily (7 days/week) during pregnancy. These findings suggest that it is possible to identify women who are at high risk of having a child with FAS and target these women for interventions.

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) affects ~1 of 150 births and is a leading cause of hearing loss and intellectual disability. It has been suggested that transmission may occur via contaminated surfaces. CMV AD169 in filtered human saliva, applied to environmental surfaces, was recovered at various time points. Samples were evaluated by culture and real-time polymerase chain reaction. CMV was found viable on metal and wood to 1 hour, glass and plastic to 3 hours, and rubber, cloth, and cracker to 6 hours. CMV was cultured from 83 of 90 wet and 5 of 40 dry surfaces. CMV was more likely to be isolated from wet, highly absorbent surfaces at earlier time points.

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections are a leading cause of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and neurological impairment. Congenital transmission of CMV can occur with maternal primary infection, reactivation, or reinfection during pregnancy. We reviewed studies of CMV shedding in bodily fluids (defined as CMV detected by culture or CMV DNA detected by polymerase chain reaction). Following diagnosis at birth, children with congenital CMV infection exhibited the highest prevalences of CMV shedding (median = 80%, number of sample population prevalences [N] = 6) and duration of shedding, with a steep decline by age five. Healthy children attending day care shed more frequently (median = 23%, N = 24) than healthy children not attending day care (median = 12%, N = 11). Peak shedding prevalences in children occurred at 1-2 years of age, confirming that young children are the key transmission risk for pregnant women. CMV shedding among children was more prevalent in urine specimens than in oral secretions (median prevalence difference = 11.5%, N = 12). Adults with risk factors such as STD clinic attendance had higher shedding prevalences (median = 22%, N = 20) than adults without risk factors (median = 7%, N = 44). In adults with risk factors, CMV was shed more frequently in urine; in adults without risk factors genital shedding was most common. The prevalence of CMV shedding in nine sample populations of pregnant women increased with advancing gestation. In seven sample populations of children with congenital CMV infection, higher viral load at birth was consistently associated with an elevated risk of SNHL. Higher CMV viral load at birth also consistently correlated with the presence of symptoms of congenital CMV at birth. Published 2011. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) enters latency following primary infection and can subsequently reactivate. Reinfection with a different viral strain can also occur. During these events, CMV is shed in bodily fluids. This study examined correlates of CMV shedding in specimens obtained from the HIV Epidemiology Research Study, a multicenter cohort study of US women with or at high risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Among the women studied, 91.4 % (911/997) were CMV IgG seropositive. Of these women, 2.7 % (25/911) were CMV IgM seropositive. CMV DNA was detected via real-time PCR more frequently in cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) specimens (55/764, 7.2 %) than in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) (26/897, 2.9 %). CMV viral loads in 1 ml CVL (median 534; mean 2598; range = 40–74 844) were higher than in 106 PBMCs (median 264; mean 1287; range = 35–13 250). CMV DNA in PBMCs was associated with HIV seropositivity [odds ratio (OR) 13.5; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 1.8–100], increasing HIV viral load (P

The objectives of this study are (1) to design an accurate method for linking newborn screening (NBS) and state birth certificate databases to create a de-identified study database; (2) To assess maternal cytomegalovirus (CMV) seroprevalence by measuring CMV IgG in newborn dried blood spots; (3) To assess congenital CMV infection among newborns and possible association with preterm birth. NBS and birth databases were linked and patient records were de-identified. A stratified random sample of records based on gestational age was selected and used to retrieve blood spots from the state NBS laboratory. Serum containing maternal antibodies was eluted from blood spots and tested for the presence of CMV IgG. DNA was extracted from blood spots and tested for the presence of CMV DNA. Analyses were performed with bivariable and multivariable logistic regression models. Linkage rates and specimen collection exceeded 98% of the total possible yielding a final database with 3,101 newborn blood spots. CMV seroprevalence was 91% among Black mothers, 83% among Hispanic mothers, 59% among White mothers, and decreased with increasing amounts of education. The prevalence of CMV infection in newborns was 0.45% and did not vary significantly by gestational age. Successful methods for database linkage, newborn blood spots collection, and de-identification of records can serve as a model for future congenital exposure surveillance projects. Maternal CMV seroprevalence was strongly associated with race/ethnicity and educational level. Congenital CMV infection rates were lower than those reported by other studies and lacked statistical power to examine associations with preterm birth.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) seroprevalence among U.S. children 1 to 5 years old was assessed in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of 2011 to 2012. The overall seroprevalence (95% confidence interval) of IgG was 20.7% (14.4 to 28.2%), that of IgM was 1.1% (0.4 to 2.4%), and that of low IgG avidity was 3.6% (1.7 to 6.6%), corresponding to a 17.3% (10.1 to 26.7%) prevalence of recent infection among IgG-positive children.

Objectives To determine the birth prevalence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in a population-based sample of newborns by use of dried blood spots compared with previous studies that used established detection methods, and to evaluate risk factors and birth outcomes for congenital CMV infection. Study design A total of 3972 newborn dried blood spots collected for the California Newborn Screening Program were tested for presence of CMV DNA. Demographic and pregnancy data were obtained from linked newborn screening and live-birth records. Results CMV prevalence among newborns by maternal race and ethnicity was 0.9% for blacks, 0.8% for Hispanics, 0.6% for whites, and 0.6% for Asians. Among Hispanics (n = 2053), infants who were infected had younger mothers (23 vs 26 years, P = .03), and prevalence was higher for children with no father information provided (2.6% vs 0.6%, P = .03). Overall CMV infection was associated with low birth weight (prevalence ratios [95% CI]: 3.4 [1.4-8.5]) and preterm birth (2.7 [1.4-5.1]). CMV viral loads were inversely related to birth weight and gestational age (both P = .03). Conclusions CMV prevalence measured with dried blood spots was similar to reports using standard viral culture methods. Dried blood spots may be suitable for detection of CMV infection in newborns and warrant further evaluation. Congenital CMV infection may contribute to low birth weight and preterm birth.

Congenital CMV infection is caused by in utero mother-to-fetus transmission and is a leading cause of birth defects and developmental disabilities. The highest risk of disability is to children born to women who have a primary infection during pregnancy, which can be detected by measuring seroconversion. We reviewed studies that reported rates of CMV seroconversion in different populations. Among pregnant women, annual seroconversion rates typically ranged from 1 to 7% (summary annual rate = 2.3%, 95% CI = 2.1-2.4%). Healthcare workers, including those caring for infants and children, had seroconversion rates similar to pregnant women (summary annual rate = 2.3%, 95% CI = 1.9-2.9%). Among day-care providers, seroconversion rates ranged from 0 to 12.5% (summary annual rate = 8.5%, 95% CI = 6.1-11.6%). Parents whose child was not shedding CMV were much less likely to seroconvert (summary annual rate = 2.1%, 95% CI = 0.3-6.8%) than were parents who had a child shedding CMV (summary annual rate = 24%, 95% CI = 18-30%). Nevertheless, over the course of a year, most parents exposed to a CMV-shedding child do not become infected. Other groups with elevated risk included families with a CMV-shedding member, female minority adolescents and women attending sexually transmitted disease clinics. The relatively low rate of CMV seroconversion in most populations is encouraging for behavioural interventions and for vaccine strategies attempting to prevent infection during pregnancy.

Cytomegalovirus establishes a lifelong latent infection following primary infection that can periodically reactivate with shedding of infectious virus. Primary infection, reactivation and reinfection during pregnancy can all lead to in utero transmission to the developing fetus. Congenital CMV infections are a major cause of permanent hearing loss and neurological impairment. In this literature review, we found that CMV infection was relatively common among women of reproductive age, with seroprevalence ranging from 45 to 100%. CMV seroprevalence tended to be highest in South America, Africa and Asia and lowest in Western Europe and United States. Within the United States, CMV seroprevalence showed substantial geographic variation as well, differing by as much as 30 percentage points between states, though differences might be explained by variation in the types of populations sampled. Worldwide, seroprevalence among non-whites tended to be 20-30 percentage points higher than that of whites (summary prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.57-1.61). Females generally had higher seroprevalences than males, although in most studies the differences were small (summary PR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.11-1.14). Persons of lower socioeconomic status were more likely to be CMV seropositive (summary PR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.32-1.35). Despite high seroprevalences in some populations, a substantial percentage of women of reproductive age are CMV seronegative and thus at risk of primary CMV infection during pregnancy. Future vaccine or educational campaigns to prevent primary infection in pregnant women may need to be tailored to suit the needs of different populations.

This commentary highlights and discusses the implications of a number of recent studies that refine epidemiologic knowledge of CMV infection and assess awareness of congenital CMV among clinicians and the public. These studies highlight that: (1) congenital CMV results in a disease burden that is substantial and severe; (2) a high proportion of United States women of reproductive age are susceptible to CMV infection; (3) the majority of congenital CMV infections in the United States result from recurrent infections among pregnant women; (4) CMV seroprevalence and seroincidence are much higher among racial/ethnic minorities and persons of lower socioeconomic status (SES); (5) household transmission of CMV appears to be an important transmission route in the United States; (6) sexual transmission of CMV appears to be an important transmission route in some population sub-groups in the United States; (7) women have limited awareness and knowledge about congenital CMV; (8) most obstetrician/gynecologists do not counsel women about prevention of congenital CMV; (9) most women view CMV prevention messages positively.

Background Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a leading cause of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and developmental disability in children. Early identification of infected children through screening could allow for early intervention and improvement in functional outcomes among the subset who develop sequelae. Objectives To outline potential options and strategies for screening newborns for congenital CMV infection and to discuss barriers to screening and data needs to inform future policy decisions. Study design Commentary based on the literature and expert opinion on newborn dried blood spot screening, newborn hearing screening/Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) programs, and congenital CMV. Results Although no population-based screening for congenital CMV is underway, pilot newborn screening studies using a variety of assays with urine or dried blood spot specimens are underway. Challenges to screening are both practical—uncertain sensitivity of blood spot assays suitable for large-scale screening and lack of infrastructure for collection of urine specimens; and evidentiary—the need to demonstrate improved outcomes and value of screening to offset the expense and potential adverse psychosocial consequences for children and families whose children require periodic monitoring but never develop sequelae. Conclusions Screening for congenital CMV infection is a potentially important intervention that merits additional research, including the logistical feasibility of different screening options and psychosocial consequences for families.

Maternal infection during pregnancy is a well-recognized cause of birth defects and developmental disabilities, as well as an important contributor to other adverse pregnancy outcomes. The objective of the present survey was to gain information about the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of obstetrician/gynecologists regarding prevention of infections during pregnancy.A survey was mailed to 606 Collaborative Ambulatory Research Network (CARN) members of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) (approximately 2% of membership). CARN members were sampled to demographically represent ACOG.Of the 606 eligible respondents, surveys were received from 305 (response rate: 50%). Most obstetrician/gynecologists knew that specific actions by pregnant women could reduce the risk of infection. Seventy-nine to eighty-eight percent reported counseling pregnant women about preventing infection from Toxoplasma gondii, hepatitis B virus, and influenza, 50%-68% about varicella-zoster virus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Parvovirus B19, and50% about cytomegalovirus, Bordetella pertussis, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. The majority reported time constraints were a barrier to counseling, although most reported educational materials would be helpful.Knowledge was accurate and preventive counseling was appropriate for some infections, but for others it could be improved. Further studies are needed to identify strategies to increase preventive counseling.

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common congenital infection in the United States, causing permanent disabilities in more than 5,500 children born each year. In the absence of a vaccine, a promising means of prevention is through a behavioral intervention that educates women about CMV and promotes adherence to hygiene guidelines during pregnancy. Although effective behavioral interventions have been identified for other infectious diseases with similar transmission modes, current research has not yet identified an effective intervention for CMV. One way to gather evidence and identify key elements of a successful CMV intervention is through a social marketing approach. This article describes a five-step process for applying social marketing principles to the research and development, implementation, and evaluation of a CMV behavioral intervention.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is common in the U.S.,1 frequently occurring among pregnant women2 whose babies are therefore at risk for congenital infection.3 Congenital CMV infection is a leading cause of sensorineural hearing loss and is responsible for an estimated 15%–25% of all clinically significant hearing loss among U.S. children.4,5 Among children with congenital CMV infection, hearing loss often presents at birth, but in many instances may develop only after months or even years.6–8 The pathogenesis of CMV-related hearing loss is not well-understood, although it has been hypothesized that both direct cytopathic effects and localized inflammatory responses may play a role.9 CMV antigens can be found in the inner ear of human infants10,11 and guinea pigs in experimental models.12 A clinical trial reported that symptomatic newborns with central nervous system (CNS) involvement who were treated for 6-weeks with ganciclovir, an agent known to be active against CMV, were less likely to have new or progressive hearing loss, indirect evidence that CMV replication is important for the pathogenesis of hearing loss.13 Additional human studies have shown that CMV shedding at birth, especially in large amounts (e.g., >25,000 genomic equivalents per mL), is associated with an increased risk of hearing loss.14–16 However, Noyola et al.17 found that children with hearing loss and progressive hearing loss were less likely to shed CMV for extended periods of time, raising the possibility that host immune responses related to viral clearance may be associated with hearing loss. A better understanding of the causes of delayed hearing loss is important for identifying high-risk children who need intensive audiologic follow-up and who may be candidates for anti-viral therapies or early interventions to improve speech, language, or cognitive development. To learn more about the pathogenesis of CMV-related hearing loss, we examined the relationship between persistent viral shedding and delayed hearing loss in a large number of children born with congenital CMV.

Background Among pre-adolescents, the importance of different sources of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is unclear. Objective To assess the importance of several CMV sources among pre-adolescent children. Study design We used data from a United States population-based sample conducted from 1988 to 1994: 4–10-year-old participants ( n = 3386) of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We tested available sera for CMV-specific-IgG and assessed CMV prevalence differences by surrogates for exposure to childhood CMV sources (maternal CMV serostatus, breast-feeding, older sibling CMV serostatus, and child care center attendance). Results CMV infection was more prevalent (70%) among Mexican American children with foreign-born householders than among children with native-born householders (31% non-Hispanic White, 39% non-Hispanic Black, and 37% Mexican American children). Child's serostatus was associated with their mother's (prevalence difference range (PDR) = 33–40%) and older sibling's serostatus (PDR = 39–50%). Breast-feeding was associated with CMV in some racial/ethnic and householder groups (PDR = −5.1% to 22.7%). There was little difference in CMV seroprevalence by child care center attendance (PDR = −6.5% to −0.4%). Conclusions This study expands understanding of CMV by identifying the importance of householder nativity and demonstrating the importance of family transmission among the general population of pre-adolescents.

Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of viral infections causes significant morbidity and mortality among children. Our understanding of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and prevention of viral infections transmitted from mothers to children has improved tremendously in recent years. The objectives of this review are to address the epidemiology, diagnosis, and prevention of MTCT of specific viral infections, specifically, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Herpes simplex virus (HSV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV).