On January 11 the Minnesota Department of Health’s Newborn Screening Advisory Committee overwhelmingly voted in favor of implementing universal congenital Cytomegalovirus (CMV) screening. Senator Karin Housley (R-Stillwater) was the chief author on the Senate’s original bill language, coined the “Vivian Act,” which was included in the 2021 Health and Human Services budget bill. The name honors Leah Henrikson’s daughter, Vivian, who was born with hearing loss and then diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy—both of which were traced back to CMV.

As the most common virus in the world, CMV affects more than half of all Americans by age 40 but is specifically dangerous for pregnant women that have the condition. When a pregnant mother contracts the virus, it infects the baby in utero and can lead to permanent disabilities such as vision loss, hearing loss, brain damage, and even death. If a mother currently has CMV, it can cause birth defects and brain damage in their children. 

“I am happy to hear that the Newborn Screening Advisory Committee voted to add congenital CMV screening to the list of conditions that newborns are automatically screened for—this is a big step for parents and the safety of their newborns!” said Sen. Housley. “Up to 90% of babies born with CMV are asymptomatic and birth, and this screening will give parents the ability to protect their newborns from this condition. I am so proud of the hard work that went into this legislation, and I’m thrilled to announce that this vote officially makes Minnesota the first state in the country to implement lifesaving CMV screening!”