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SD 1421

An Act relative to newborn screenings for congenital cytomegalovirus

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Ryan Fattman and 5 co-sponsors

Massachusetts would require newborn screening for congenital cytomegalovirus to enable early detection and antiviral treatment preventing hearing loss and developmental damage.

House concurred
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Bill Summary · SD 1421

Legislative bill overview

SD 1421 would require Massachusetts to add congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) to the state's newborn screening program. The bill mandates testing all newborns for this viral infection, which can cause hearing loss, vision problems, developmental delays, and other serious complications if left undetected and untreated.

Why is this important

Early detection of congenital CMV allows for antiviral treatment that can prevent or reduce severity of hearing loss and neurological damage in affected infants. Currently, Massachusetts does not screen for CMV despite it being one of the most common congenital infections in the U.S., affecting approximately 1 in 200 newborns. This gap means affected infants may not receive timely intervention, potentially resulting in permanent disabilities that could have been mitigated.

Potential points of contention

  • Program costs: Adding CMV screening requires laboratory infrastructure, trained personnel, and follow-up diagnostic testing, which increases the state's newborn screening budget and may necessitate fee increases
  • Treatment access and burden: Positive screens require confirmatory testing and access to pediatric infectious disease specialists for antiviral treatment (typically ganciclovir), which may be limited in rural areas and places financial burden on families
  • Parental counseling complexity: CMV screening creates challenges around communicating results since many infected infants are asymptomatic at birth, requiring clear communication to prevent unnecessary parental anxiety while ensuring appropriate follow-up

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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