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Congenital cytomegalovirus infection – a common cause of hearing loss of unknown aetiology
Author(s) -
Karltorp Eva,
Hellström Sten,
LewensohnFuchs Ilona,
CarlssonHansén Eva,
Carlsson PerInge,
Engman MonaLisa
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2012.02711.x
Subject(s) - hearing loss , medicine , cytomegalovirus , etiology , sensorineural hearing loss , pediatrics , audiology , immunology , herpesviridae , viral disease , virus
Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection as a cause of various types of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in a group of nonsyndromic children with otherwise unknown aetiology of hearing loss. Furthermore, the occurrence of combined congenital CMV infection and connexin 26 (Cx26) mutations was investigated. Methods: The dried blood spot (DBS) cards of 45 children with various degrees of hearing deficits and 46 children with severe/profound hearing loss were tested for CMV DNA with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The DBS cards of the 46 children with severe/profound hearing loss were also analysed for Cx26 mutations. Results: Of the 45 children with various degrees of hearing loss, nine were positive for CMV DNA (20%). The nine children represented severe/profound, mild and unilateral hearing loss. From the 46 children with severe/profound hearing loss, nine of 46 (20%) were positive for CMV DNA. In addition, three of the CMV DNA‐positive children were carriers of mutations of Cx26. Conclusion: Congenital CMV infection is a high risk factor in hearing impairment among children.