Assessing the Scope of Evidence-Based Interventions and Policy Mobilization Efforts on CMV Infection Prevention in US Pregnant Women: A Scoping Review

Congenital CMV (cCMV) is the leading cause of hearing loss and neurodevelopmental disabilities in children, affecting 15-18% of births in the United States (U.S.). Despite its strong presence, the lack of routine prenatal screening limits its detection and prevention, especially in low-resource communities. The aim of this scoping review is to describe the scope of the CMV interventions and the policies on CMV screening in the United States, identify successful strategies for the implementation of improved CMV screening rates, and make recommendations for future efforts aimed at improving CMV screening in U.S. healthcare settings. The Joanna Briggs Institute recommendations for scoping reviews and the Arksey and O'Malley (2005) York methodology guided the different review steps. These included (1) identifying research questions; (2) searching for relevant studies; (3) selecting studies relevant to the research questions; (4) charting the data; (5) collating, summarizing, and reporting results. A total of six studies were retained for analysis. A common barrier reported across studies was the lack of generalizability of findings due to small sample size. Challenges encountered by patients often centered around awareness, emotional resistance, and cultural norms. Providers also faced significant barriers, particularly related to time constraints, knowledge gaps, and the prioritization of CMV education in prenatal care. Furthermore, a recurrent theme across included studies was the critical role of education in increasing awareness and reducing CMV transmission risks. Findings will contribute to the advancement of CMV prevention through the identification of gaps in education, policy, and practice, thus assuring better health outcomes for mothers and infants.