Sessions for CDC Congenital CMV Conference, Nov. 5-7, 2008

Plenary

Session will introduce the conference theme of Public Health Action toward Awareness, Prevention and Treatment of Congenital CMV. Families affected by congenital CMV will also share their stories.

Epidemiology

Session will discuss recent epidemiologic results that impact awareness, prevention and treatment of congenital CMV.

• Prevalence of infection
• Frequency of symptomatic and asymptomatic sequelae and impairments
• Epidemiologic similarities and differences between and within countries
• Passive and active surveillance systems
• Treatment registries

Pathogenesis

Session will focus on the biology of CMV infection during pregnancy, and explore mechanisms of injury at the placental level and fetal damage.

• CMV replication at the uterine-placental interface
• Primary and recurrent infections during pregnancy
• Correlates of maternal immunity and fetal protection

Public Awareness/Behavioral Interventions

Session will explore ways to enhance awareness of congenital CMV among women, health care providers, policy makers, and other priority groups. Strategies to promote behavioral changes through effective behavioral interventions will be discussed.

• Research needs and goals
• Applications of behavioral change theories
• Collaborations and partnership opportunities for interventions
• Development of prevention messages, communications, and strategies including new media (e.g. social networks, blogs, podcasts, etc.)
• Methods of evaluation

Vaccines

Session will provide an overview of CMV vaccine programs and an update on current clinical trials.

• Correlates of immunity for fetal protection
• Logistics, barriers, and designs of vaccine trials
• Selection of priority populations for a vaccine
• Current developments
• Cost-benefit analysis

Prenatal Diagnosis and Treatment

Session will explore current methodologies, interpretations, use and controversies related to prenatal diagnosis and treatment options for pregnant women.

• Potential benefits and drawbacks of prenatal diagnosis and treatment
• Available tests and interpretations
• Testing algorithms
• New treatments

Newborn Screening

Session will address the potential benefits, risks, and challenges of newborn screening to detect potential hearing loss and identify appropriate treatments.

• Laboratory methods
• Healthcare implications
• Clinical management
• Costs of screening
• Policy considerations

Postnatal Treatment

Session will concentrate on medical and nonmedical treatments for children born with congenital CMV infection.

• Benefits and risks of treatments
• Considerations when selecting treatments according to patient need
• Lifelong management of a child with congenital CMV (e.g. sensory, neurological, developmental, family and lifestyle challenges)
• Antiviral drug therapies

Parallel Family Session

A parallel family session will be held in the morning on Thursday, November 6. Session is uniquely focused on needs of families who have children with congenital CMV.

• Scientific and medical updates
• Strategies to help raise a child with congenital CMV
• Ways to promote CMV awareness
• Advocacy and activism

Focus groups with families will be conducted to gather input on various topics.