Publication:

Association of sensorineural hearing loss in pediatric patients with CMV and Rubella infection

Background Sensorineural hearing loss handicaps a child and delays emotional, speech, behavioural and social development,  if not diagnosed early. Among manifold causes of SNHL, CMV and Rubella infections are important for a significant prognostic and future planning for the child. Aim to find out the association of paediatric SNHL with Cytomegalovirus and Rubella infection. To evaluate other risk factors for paediatric sensorineural hearing loss.

Methods This is a case-control study of one year with 74 Patients from birth to 12 years of age attending ENT department for audiological assessment. Sample was divided into 2 groups (37 with SNHL, 37 with normal hearing) based on relevant tests like Oto Acoustic Emission (OAE) and Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry (BERA). History of CMV and Rubella infection and also prematurity, low birth weight, birth asphyxia was recorded followed by analyses of their association with SNHL.

Results There is a strong and significant association of CMV (OR=11.93) and Rubella (OR=28.75) with paediatric SNHL. Around 56.5% cases of Rubella infected kids had Profound SNHL and 40% of CMV infected kids had moderately severe SNHL.  There is mild to moderate association of low birth weight (OR=1.81), prematurity (OR=1.44) and neonatal asphyxia (OR=3.08) with paediatric SNHL.

Conclusions Based on the analysis, CMV and Rubella infection has statistically significant and strong association with SNHL in children. Cochlear implantation can be planned in Children with severe to profound SNHL if diagnosed timely preventing the child from being handicapped. Early screening for CMV and rubella infection with audiological evaluation is thus highly recommended.