Objective: To evaluate the relationship between unilateral renal agenesis a
nd auditory abnormality, and to determine the clinical spectrum of hearing
impairment in such patients. Methods: Seventy-five children with unilateral
renal agenesis underwent auditory examinations. The subjects comprised 35
males and 40 females. Fourteen females had mullerian abnormalities, Another
75 schoolchildren with the same gender profile were selected for audiometr
ic testing as a control group. Children with sonographically evident urogen
ital system abnormalities were excluded from the control group. Results: Th
e prevalence of auditory abnormalities in children with unilateral renal ag
enesis (4/75) (5.3%) was higher than in the control group (0%). The prevale
nce in children with urogenital anomalies was significantly higher in patie
nts with renal agenesis than in the normal population (28.5%). Audiometric
results showed that four of the 75 children manifested ipsilateral sensorin
eural hearing impairment, particularly in the high-frequency range. All wer
e females with coexisting genital abnormalities. Two were diagnosed with mi
ld sensorineural hearing impairment while the other two had moderate hearin
g loss. Conclusions: The results of our study suggest that neurosensory hea
ring loss was found to be associated with renal agenesis. Further audiometr
ic follow-up of children with renal agenesis seems worthwhile. (C) 2001 Els
evier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.