About

OUR MISSION:

Tracking infant development in infants with congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV).

WHAT IS CONGENITAL CMV?

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common cold-like virus that rarely causes symptoms in healthy individuals. When a growing baby catches the virus while still in utero, this is called congenital CMV. Babies born with congenital CMV can sometimes have long term effects from the infection, such as hearing loss and developmental delays.

WHAT IS THE CUBS STUDY?

The Cubs Study is trying to understand how babies with congenital CMV develop from birth to 12 months old. By completing online surveys including Pediatrac ™ questionnaires at several time points, researchers will be able to see how each baby with congenital CMV is developing and meeting their milestones. We hope that a better understanding of development in infants with congenital CMV will help researchers develop better supports and interventions in the future.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

Mothers of infants <4 months old a the time of enrollment with confirmed congenital CMV infection. Mothers must be the birthing mother, be comfortable completing questionnaires in English and have access to the internet.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY BABY HAS CONGENITAL CMV?

Most babies born with congenital CMV have no obvious signs or symptoms and look like a healthy baby. Some babies may be tested for the virus shortly after birth if they have failed their newborn hearing screen or have a lower birth weight or smaller head size. In some areas, such as the state of Minnesota, all babies are tested for congenital CMV as part of their newborn screening. Based on the results of a blood, urine or saliva test, doctors can tell if your baby has been infected with CMV. Be sure to ask your doctor if your baby was born with CMV (this is called congenital CMV) or was exposed sometime after they were born. Babies who catch CMV after they have been born do not have congenital CMV and the infection is typically harmless.

WHAT DOES THE STUDY INVOLVE?

Mothers who participate in this study will be asked to complete online surveys about their infant’s development, family, and health at several time points. These questionnaire sets depend on your baby’s age over the course of the study. Questionnaires are available for when babies are newborns, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months and 12 months old. You will be compensated for your time. You will also receive a report about your baby’s development at each time point.