Etiological Factors for Pediatric Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is 2-3 per 1000 live births in India. The present study was carried out to identify and diagnose children with SNHL and study their etiological profile. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at tertiary care hospital. A total of 150 cases were evaluated. Data on epidemiological factors were collected. Detailed clinical and audiological assessment of patients was performed by conducting audiological tests like free field audiometry, pure tone audiometry (PTA), oto-acoustic emissions (OAE) and brainstem-evoked response audiometry (BERA). Results: Majority of cases were diagnosed between 0 and 5 years of age; male:female ratio was almost equal. Out of 150 cases, the maximum number of cases [24 (16%)] were having genetic etiology, 15 (10%) were having history of prenatal complications, 18 (12%) cases were having perinatal complications and 39 (26%) presented with acquired factors responsible for SNHL, while in 54 (36%) cases, the etiological factors remained undetermined. Conclusions: In most cases of SNHL, the cause is undetermined. The maximum number of cases in which the cause is determined are of genetic etiology. 12% cases have perinatal insult as cause.