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Onset and severity of hearing loss due to congenital rubella infection

N J Wild1, S Sheppard, R W Smithells

  • 1University Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, General Infirmary, Leeds.

Archives of Disease in Childhood
|September 1, 1989
PubMed

Insights

Congenital rubella infection often leads to severe hearing loss in infants. Early audiological assessment is crucial for high-risk newborns to ensure timely diagnosis and intervention for congenital deafness.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Audiology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Congenital rubella infection (CRI) is a significant cause of preventable childhood disability.
  • Hearing impairment is a common sequela of CRI, necessitating early detection.
  • The National Congenital Rubella Surveillance Programme (NCRSP) monitors cases of CRI.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the long-term hearing outcomes in children with confirmed congenital rubella infection.
  • To assess the timeliness and adequacy of audiological diagnostic practices for infants with CRI.
  • To emphasize the importance of early audiological assessment in high-risk newborns.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of medical records for 111 children born between 1978-1982 with confirmed CRI.
  • Analysis of audiological data, including audiograms and auditory evoked responses.
  • Examination of diagnostic timelines and intervention strategies.

Main Results:

  • 68 out of 111 children (61%) with CRI were diagnosed with hearing impairment.
  • Average age at diagnosis confirmation was 11.6 months.
  • Hearing loss was typically severe (average 93 dB), uniform across frequencies, and bilateral.
  • Auditory evoked response testing was delayed, with only 8 of 57 infants tested within the first 6 months.
  • Progressive hearing loss was rare, observed in only one child.

Conclusions:

  • Congenital rubella infection frequently results in severe, stable hearing loss.
  • There are significant delays in definitive audiological testing for infants with CRI.
  • Prompt and comprehensive audiological assessment in early infancy is critical for newborns at high risk for congenital deafness.

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