Universal screening programme for cytomegalovirus infection in the first trimester of pregnancy: study protocol for an observational multicentre study in the area of Barcelona (CITEMB study).

Introduction: Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is the leading cause of non-genetic sensorineural hearing loss and one of the main causes of neurological disability. Despite this, no universal screening programme for cCMV has been implemented in Spain. A recent study has shown that early treatment with valaciclovir, initiated in the first trimester and before the onset of signs in the fetus, reduces the risk of fetal infection.