Every year Hour Detroit publishes a list of the Top Doctors in metro Detroit. This year’s list contains more than 1000 physicians in 94 specialties — all nominated by their peers. With so many doctors at our fingertips we’d be remiss not to share some of their insights with you. Below is one of the eight interviews with a 2025 Top Doctor.
More Hour Detroit Top Doc Profiles
Amanda Kupstas, M.D. on Breast Health
Yusuke Terasaki, M.D. on Heart Health
Dana Zakalik, M.D. on Gene Editing
Jeffrey Zonder, M.D. on Myeloma and Amyloidosis
Monique Swain, M.D. on Fertility Preservation for Breast Cancer Patients
Mohammed Najeeb Al Hallak, M.D. on Pancreatic Cancer Treatments
Christina Shanti, M.D. on How to Support Your Child Undergoing Surgery
You’ve researched and published a study on congenital cytomegalovirus infection. What is this, and how can it be prevented?
Cytomegalovirus is a common virus that many toddlers bring home from day care. This virus rarely causes any problems in healthy people. However, if a pregnant woman catches CMV, the virus can pass through the placenta and cause birth defects. When a baby is infected with CMV in utero, this is called congenital CMV. While most babies born with congenital CMV have normal development and remain healthy, some will have lifelong disabilities. CMV is known as the “silent virus” because there are often no signs of infection in healthy people. Unfortunately, sometimes we see signs of congenital CMV on ultrasound after a pregnancy is already infected, such as bright spots on the heart, liver, or bowel; slowed growth (also known as intrauterine growth restriction); or a small head size, to name a few. There are steps all parents can take to reduce their risk of catching CMV during or right before pregnancy, [including] to avoid the saliva and urine of children in day care. Things like not sharing food, drinks, sippy cups, or utensils with young children; giving them kisses on the cheek instead of the lips; and doubling down on handwashing after diaper changes can be helpful. CMV is not transmitted by breathing the same air as someone who is infected or touching them.
Can you talk about neonatal screening for CMV — which you’ve advocated for — and early intervention?
Newborn babies can be screened for congenital CMV through a simple cheek swab test of their saliva, right after birth. Knowing a baby has congenital CMV opens doors for early intervention and medical care. Each child with congenital CMV will be different, but some may benefit from antiviral medication, which has been shown to improve hearing outcomes. Others will benefit from close developmental monitoring early on by their pediatrician. Although the prospect of having a baby with congenital CMV can seem scary, in my experience, families want to know whether their baby is at risk of developmental delays so they can be proactive from the start.
Your team published a study that showed a link between autism and congenital cytomegalovirus. Please tell us about this.
Both in clinic as well as in my research, I have found higher rates of autism in children with congenital CMV. However, we know that autism is caused by many different factors, including genetics, environmental exposures, as well as infections in pregnancy. It’s challenging to say that any one thing “causes” autism, but we know that congenital CMV increases the risk in some children. These children might also have a family history of autism or might be born premature, another risk factor. It’s important to note that neurodiversity is a beautiful thing and that knowing a child has a higher likelihood of being on the spectrum can give us the opportunity to better support them and their family early on.
This story originally appeared in the October 2025 issue of Hour Detroit magazine. To read more, pick up a copy of Hour Detroit at a local retail outlet. Click here to get our digital edition.
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