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Published on: September 7, 2022
An office-based prospective study of deafness in mumps
Hiromi Hashimoto1, Masashi Fujioka, Hiroshi Kinumaki
1Hashimoto Pediatric Clinic, Osaka, Japan. hiromi@reasoning.org
Background:
Deafness is a rare but important complication of mumps virus infection. Its incidence has been estimated at 0.5 to 5.0 per 100,000 cases of mumps, but recent reports from Japan, where mumps is endemic, suggest that the incidence might be higher.
Objective:
Prospective office-based study to determine the incidence of hearing loss in children with mumps.
Methods:
Forty pediatric practices participated in this survey. The study population consisted of patients < or =20 years old with mumps seen between January 2004 and December 2006. Clinical diagnosis of mumps was made by experienced pediatricians. Among those from whom written consent was obtained, parents were asked to conduct hearing screening tests by rubbing fingers near the ears twice daily for 2 weeks. Patients suspected with hearing loss were further examined by an otolaryngologist.
Results:
Among 7400 children who underwent hearing ability assessment after clinical onset of mumps, 7 had confirmed hearing loss; none had been previously vaccinated against mumps. In all cases, hearing loss was unilateral but severe and did not improve over time.
Conclusions:
The incidence of hearing loss in children due to mumps was 7/7400 (approximately 1/1000 cases), which is higher than previously suggested. Prevention of deafness is another important reason for assuring universal immunization against mumps.
Insights
Mumps can cause severe, permanent hearing loss in children, with an incidence of about 1 in 1000 cases. This underscores the importance of mumps vaccination to prevent deafness.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatrics
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Mumps virus infection is a rare but significant cause of deafness.
- Previous estimates of mumps-associated hearing loss incidence range from 0.5 to 5.0 per 100,000 cases.
- Recent data suggest a potentially higher incidence in endemic areas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively determine the incidence of hearing loss in children diagnosed with mumps.
- To assess the impact of mumps on pediatric hearing ability.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, office-based study involving 40 pediatric practices.
- Clinical diagnosis of mumps by experienced pediatricians in patients aged 20 years or younger.
- Parent-administered hearing screening tests followed by otolaryngologist examination for suspected cases.
Main Results:
- Out of 7400 children with mumps, 7 cases of confirmed hearing loss were identified.
- None of the affected children had been vaccinated against mumps.
- The hearing loss was unilateral, severe, and did not improve over time.
Conclusions:
- The incidence of mumps-related hearing loss in children is approximately 1 in 1000, higher than previously reported.
- Mumps-induced deafness is severe and permanent.
- Universal mumps immunization is crucial for preventing deafness.
