Does Anybody Know of Cmv(cyto Megleo Virus)?

B.,

My daughter was also born with CMV, but without any symptoms yet (hearing loss can be progressive). I very, very strongly urge you to check out this yahoo group: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/cmvandcpparentlink/

I feel very fortunate to have found the group right after my daughter was born. There are many moms from around the country and even the world who are very welcoming and knowledgeable and give great advice and support. From there you can find a lot of resources. Also, we are lucky here in Minnesota to have a CMV expert at the U of M, Dr. Schleiss. Maybe you're seeing him already, but I bet he and his fellow would have ideas of resources for you.

Please email me if I can be of any help.

By the way, the moms in the CMV group are really trying to work on an awareness campaign because we think so many cases of cCMV could be avoided with education. I for one didn't even know what it was when I was pregnant. My personal plan is to try to hound the March of Dimes to add CMV to its awareness projects. I contacted our local chapter once but didn't hear anything, so I need to get back to work on that.

Best of luck,
C.

CMV is a very common virus. If I remember correctly people can have it and not even know it. However it can cause deafness especially in young children. There is a CMV support network...I think you contact the National Congenital CMV Disease Registry (although that may only be in Canada). If you want more information specifically about CMV it would be a good idea to contact a pediatrician or a Speech Language Pathologist or Teacher of the Deaf. They would be able to give you accurate information that is likely more up to date than what I have. I used to teach the hard of hearing and deaf but I haven't done so since 2003. If your grandchild has a cochlear implant you may want to consider sign language to help boost her oral (spoken) language. The other reason you may want to consider it is that when the cochlear implant breaks down and you have to send away for parts she will be completely deaf. Other than sign language you can use pictures to communicate. Have some pictures of your daily routine or things she likes to do so she can point to them to let you know what she needs or wants. And of course you'll be working on speech. You can do this just like you would with a baby. Talk to her all the time. Speak at your normal pace unless you are a very fast talker...then you might want to slow down a little. Read to her. Use simple books that have one or two words per page or just point to objects in pictures and name them. You will have to do this many times before she starts to use words...just like you would for a baby. Your granddaughter should be getting services from a Speech Pathologist who will have lots of ideas on how to communicate and should have many ideas for you to use at home and in daycare. There should also be a Teacher of the Deaf involved. They will also have many ideas and suggestions for you. This will take awhile. Depending on her hearing loss your granddaughter is hearing speech for the first time. Think of the day she got her cochlear implant as the first day she started hearing language (kind of like the day she was born). It takes a baby about 18 months to start speaking...your granddaughter may not take that long because she is older and likely highly motivated to communicate but it will be a lengthy process. Don't give up...just remember it will take time but it will come. She will learn to communicate...whether it is through sign language, speech, or both. And when she communicates with you and you understand what she says or signs it will be just as magical as the first word we hear from a baby. :)

Your granddaughter is at the age where she can also receive services from her school district. She should be able to see an LD teacher, Speechpathologist and get an IEP written up for her already...if she isn't registered in the public school system already...get her in for "free" services now! Might as well get her in the system as soon as possible.

i honestly don't know anything about CMV. but have you thought about teaching sign language. she is young enough to where she will catch on quickly. they have great books at barnes and noble that show the signs and also tell how to do the sign. or talk to a special education about getting some pictures of sign language. if nothing else they can point you in the right direction. just another option. good luck!