PROGRESSIVE AND FLUCTUATING SENSORINEURAL HEARING-LOSS IN CHILDREN WITH ASYMPTOMATIC CONGENITAL CYTOMEGALOVIRUS-INFECTION

Objective: To determine the prevalence and temporal changes of sensori neural hearing loss (SNHL) among children with clinically inapparent ( asymptomatic) congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection identified fr om a cohort of newborn infants screened for congenital CMV infection, Methods: The study population consisted of 307 children with documente d asymptomatic congenital CMV infection, 76 uninfected siblings of chi ldren with asymptomatic congenital CMV infection, and 201 children who se neonatal screen for congenital CMV infection showed negative result s, Audiologic evaluations were completed for all children to determine their hearing status, Results: SNHL occurred only in children with co ngenital CMV infection, Of the children with asymptomatic congenital C MV infection, 22 (7.2%; 95% confidence interval, 4.5% to 10.6%) had SN HL. Among the children with hearing loss, further deterioration of hea ring occurred in 50.0%, with the median age at first progression at 18 months (range, 2 to 70 months), Delayed-onset SNHL was observed in 18 .2% of the children, with the median age of detection at 27 months (ra nge, 25 to 62 months). Fluctuating SNHL was documented in 22.7% of the children with hearing loss. Conclusions: Asymptomatic congenital CMV infection is likely a leading cause of SNHL in young children, The con tinued deterioration of hearing and delayed onset of SNHL in these chi ldren emphasizes the need for continued monitoring of their hearing st atus.