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[Meningitis and hearing damage in children]
S Hellmund1, K Begall, R Preibisch-Effenberger
1Klinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohrenkrankheiten der Medizinischen Akademie Magdeburg.
Abstract:
1. Meningitis is a noteworthy cause of postnatal sensorineutral hearing disorders in children. 2. A monaural or binaural sensorineutral hearing disorder previously not noted was found in nine of fifty children with completely cured meningitis. 3. The influence of various clinical factors (age and sex of child; type of pathogen; time from occurrence of initial symptoms until admission to hospital; time of commencement of therapy; period of temperature and period of hospitalization; neurologic complications, and type of antibiotic therapy) on the audition was studied. A cerebral predisposition elevated by meningitis was found to enhance the risk of contracting a hearing disorder. 4. Damage to the hearing organ was attributed to meningitis rather than to gentamicin frequently used for therapy, as monoaural hearing disorders prevailed. 5. The high incidence rate of hearing disorders of unknown origin justifies the demand that children with meningitis be referred to otological diagnosis immediately after discharge from hospital even if their audition is apparently normal. 6. Feasible today, electrophysiological diagnosis provides unambiguous information on the function of the hearing organ.
Insights
Meningitis can cause hearing loss in children even after recovery. Prompt audiological evaluation is crucial for children treated for meningitis to detect potential hearing impairments.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Otolaryngology
Context:
- Meningitis is a significant cause of acquired sensorineural hearing loss in children.
- Hearing impairment can occur post-meningitis, even in seemingly recovered cases.
- Previous studies have not fully elucidated the risk factors associated with hearing loss after meningitis.
Purpose:
- To investigate the incidence of sensorineural hearing disorders in children following meningitis.
- To identify clinical factors influencing the development of hearing impairment after meningitis.
- To determine the primary cause of hearing damage, differentiating between meningitis and antibiotic therapy.
Summary:
- Sensorineural hearing disorders were identified in 9 out of 50 children after meningitis recovery.
- Clinical factors, including cerebral predisposition, were analyzed for their impact on hearing function.
- Meningitis, not gentamicin therapy, was implicated as the primary cause of hearing damage, evidenced by prevalent monaural deficits.
Impact:
- Highlights the high incidence of hearing disorders following childhood meningitis.
- Recommends immediate otological assessment for all children post-meningitis, regardless of apparent auditory status.
- Emphasizes the utility of electrophysiological diagnostics for accurate hearing organ assessment.