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Behavioral Assessment of Hearing in 2 to 4 Year-old Children: A Two-interval, Observer-based Procedure Using Conditioned Play-based Responses
Published on: January 23, 2017
An epidemiological study on children with syndromic hearing loss
M V V Reddy1, V V V Sathyanarayana, V Sailakshmi
1Department of ENT, Osmania Medical College, Begumpet Hyderabad - 500 016, Andhra Pradesh.
Summary
Syndromic deafness affects 18.57% of children with hearing loss, often linked to ocular and skeletal issues. Understanding these epidemiological factors is crucial for genetic counseling and reducing the burden of hearing impairment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Genetics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Hearing impairment is a significant health concern in children.
- Syndromic hearing loss, associated with other congenital anomalies, presents unique diagnostic and management challenges.
- Epidemiological data is essential for understanding the prevalence and contributing factors of hearing loss in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiological factors associated with syndromic hearing loss in children.
- To identify common co-occurring abnormalities in children with syndromic deafness.
- To provide data for genetic counseling initiatives aimed at reducing the incidence of hereditary hearing impairment.
Main Methods:
- An interview-based prospective study was conducted.
- The study included 743 children under 14 years old with hearing impairment.
- Data collection occurred at government ENT hospitals and specialized institutes in Hyderabad and Secunderabad.
Main Results:
- 18.57% (n=138) of children with hearing impairment were diagnosed with syndromic deafness.
- Ocular abnormalities were most common (22.46%), followed by skeletal (14.49%) and dental anomalies (10.86%).
- 24 cases (3.21%) were identified with genetically recognized syndromes.
Conclusions:
- Hearing impairment in children results from both environmental and genetic factors.
- Environmental factors accounted for 13.77% and genetic factors for 15.22% of cases with known etiology.
- Generating epidemiological data is vital for effective genetic counseling and mitigating the genetic burden of hearing loss.
