Cytomegalovirus management in pregnancy and prenatal screening

This meeting count towards the ANSC Program CPD requirements.

Aim of meeting:
To provide GPs with an in-depth update on the significance of cytomegalovirus management in pregnancy and best practices for antenatal counselling, testing, and referrals. The session will also offer a practical overview of prenatal screening, including NIPS, combined first trimester screening, and reproductive carrier screening, equipping GPs with the knowledge and tools for effective counselling, result interpretation, and supporting informed decision-making and patient care through appropriate referral pathways.

Learning outcomes:

• Assess and describe the significance of congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) as a leading cause of newborn disability.
• Identify antenatal hygiene strategies to reduce CMV transmission and where to access free CMV patient resources.
• Identify pregnant women who require CMV testing based on symptoms, imaging findings, or exposure risk.
• Describe appropriate referral pathways after maternal CMV diagnosis for monitoring and consideration for anti-viral therapies.
• Describe the purpose, timing and limitations of NIPS, cFTS and RCS.
• Outline appropriate management of high-risk results, including escalation, referral pathways, and provision of patient resources.

Presented by:

Dr Antonia Shand
Obstetrician & RANZCOG Certified Subspecialist in Maternal Fetal Medicine

Hannah Croker
Midwife with lived experience of CMV

Dr Hayley Smithers-Sheedy
Research Fellow CPA

Dr Suzanna Lindsey-Temple
Staff Specialist – Clinical Genetics, Liverpool Hospital
Conjoint Senior Lecturer, University of New South Wales

Claire Wong
Senior Genetic Counsellor

Natasha Luboya
Associate Genetic Counsellor

Sandra George
Associate Genetic Counsellor

Facilitated by:
Dr Fiona Mackintosh
GP from Moss Vale