As part of our ongoing commitment to preventing cerebral palsy and improving early diagnosis, CPA was a co-host of this national event in collaboration with the University of Melbourne, Mercy Perinatal, the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI), and the Norman Beischer Medical Research Foundation.
A key highlight of the day was a powerful panel facilitated by CPA’s Associate Professor Hayley Smithers-Sheedy, featuring parents Hanako and Hugh Stump and Pam Rogers, who shared their deeply personal experiences of raising children affected by congenital CMV. Their insights and perspectives reminded attendees that behind every case of CMV is a family navigating complex emotions, health systems, and life-changing outcomes.
The symposium featured more than 25 speakers and covered key themes including prevention strategies, early screening, neonatal care, and emerging treatments. International guests included Professor David Baud and Associate Professor Leo Pomar from Lausanne University Hospital, who presented cutting-edge research on diagnosis and treatment of prenatal CMV infection.
Australian experts such as Associate Professor Valerie Sung and Professor Lisa Hui contributed vital insights on national screening readiness and clinical challenges in pregnancy care.
With approximately 1,800 babies born with CMV each year in Australia, and 400 likely to develop lifelong disabilities, the need for increased awareness and action is urgent. Yet only 20% of pregnant people have heard of CMV, and just 10% of maternity healthcare professionals discuss it regularly.
CPA’s leadership in this space extends beyond research. Through our CMV Awareness Month campaign, we’ve reached millions—engaging communities and clinicians with practical information on prevention and empowering families to take action. In 2024, the campaign generated more than 8 million digital impressions and nearly 2 million in earned media coverage.
The symposium also saw CPA’s Kath Swinburn also launch the cCMV Research Priority Setting Project—a national initiative to identify the most urgent research questions to drive meaningful change in CMV prevention, care, and policy across Australia and New Zealand.
As the symposium concluded, one thing was clear: preventing CMV is possible, and collaboration is the key to making that vision a reality. Through science, education, and the voices of lived experience, CPA continues to lead the charge—ensuring that every baby has the best start to life.
