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Vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials and caloric tests in infants with congenital rubella
1Diagnostic and Therapeutic Medical Centre Medicina, Kraków, Poland. olafzag@poczta.onet.pl
Insights
Infants with congenital rubella often have impaired vestibular function. Vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) tests were more frequently absent than caloric responses, indicating significant inner ear dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Audiology
- Neurology
Background:
- Congenital rubella, though rare due to vaccination, can cause significant vestibular dysfunction in infants.
- Vestibular function testing is not standard practice for infants, leaving potential impairments undiagnosed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate inner ear function in infants diagnosed with congenital rubella.
- To compare the efficacy of vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) testing and caloric tests in this population.
Main Methods:
- The study involved 54 three-month-old infants, including 14 with confirmed congenital rubella and 40 healthy controls.
- Congenital rubella infants were divided into symptomatic (6) and asymptomatic (8) subgroups.
- All infants underwent both caloric testing and VEMP testing.
Main Results:
- 43% of ears in infants with congenital rubella showed no caloric response; 64% had no VEMPs recorded.
- Hearing loss exceeding 80 dB was present in 43% of ears.
- VEMP absence was more common than lack of caloric response.
Conclusions:
- Vestibular organ impairment is more severe in congenital rubella infants with profound hearing loss.
- VEMP testing appears more sensitive than caloric testing for detecting vestibular deficits in this group.
- Routine vestibular testing is recommended for all infants with congenital rubella.
Unlabelled:
Vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials and caloric tests in infants with congenital rubella.
Objective:
Congenital rubella is rare due to maternal vaccination, but vestibular function can be markedly impaired in affected infants. Currently, vestibular testing is not routinely performed in infants. This study evaluated inner ear function in infants with congenital rubella.
Methodology:
The study included 54 3-month-old infants: 40 healthy controls and 14 with congenital rubella that was serologically confirmed in mothers and infants. There were two subgroups of infants with congenital rubella: 6 infants with clinical symptoms of intrauterine rubella infection present at birth and 8 asymptomatic infants. Caloric testing and vestibular-evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) testing were performed on all of the infants.
Results:
In congenital rubella there was no reaction to caloric stimulation in 43% of the ears, and no VEMPs were recorded in 64%. The hearing thresholds were below 80 dB hearing level in 21% of the ears and greater than 80 dB hearing level in 43% of the ears.
Conclusions:
The degree of vestibular organ impairment in infants with congenital rubella is higher in individuals with profound hearing loss. VEMPs were absent more frequently than were caloric responses. Vestibular testing should be routinely performed in all infants with congenital rubella.
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