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Updated: Oct 9, 2025

Trans-Tympanic Drug Delivery for the Treatment of Ototoxicity
Published on: March 16, 2018
Aminoglycoside- and glycopeptide-induced ototoxicity in children: a systematic review
F A Diepstraten1, A E Hoetink2, M van Grotel1
1Princess Máxima Center for pediatric oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Insights
Aminoglycoside and glycopeptide ototoxicity in children varies widely, influenced by drug type and co-medications. Regular audiological exams are recommended for children on these drugs, especially with other ototoxic agents.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pharmacology
- Ototoxicology
- Evidence-Based Medicine
Background:
- Ototoxicity is a known adverse effect of aminoglycoside and glycopeptide antibiotics.
- Understanding the risks in pediatric populations is crucial for safe medication use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the available evidence on ototoxicity caused by aminoglycosides and glycopeptides in children.
- To identify factors influencing the occurrence and determinants of this ototoxicity.
Main Methods:
- Conducted systematic literature searches in major databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library).
- Included studies with at least 50 pediatric participants, focusing on ototoxicity and relevant antibiotic administration.
- Assessed study quality and risk of bias using standardized tools (QUIPS, Cochrane criteria).
Main Results:
- Analyzed 29 studies on aminoglycoside ototoxicity, reporting hearing loss (0-57%), tinnitus (0-53%), and vertigo (0-79%).
- Two studies on glycopeptide ototoxicity showed hearing loss frequencies of 54% and 55%.
- Higher hearing loss rates were observed with gentamicin compared to other aminoglycosides; concomitant use of platinum agents, diuretics, and other medications increased risk.
Conclusions:
- The incidence of aminoglycoside/glycopeptide-induced ototoxicity in children is highly variable.
- Factors such as diagnosis, specific aminoglycoside, and co-administered medications significantly impact ototoxicity risk.
- Age-dependent audiological examinations are recommended for children receiving these antibiotics, particularly when combined with other ototoxic drugs.
Background:
Ototoxicity has been reported after administration of aminoglycosides and glycopeptides.
Objectives:
To identify available evidence for the occurrence and determinants of aminoglycoside- and glycopeptide-related ototoxicity in children.
Materials And Methods:
Systematic electronic literature searches that combined ototoxicity (hearing loss, tinnitus and/or vertigo) with intravenous aminoglycoside and/or glycopeptide administration in children were performed in PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases. Studies with sample sizes of ≥50 children were included. The QUIPS tool and Cochrane criteria were used to assess the quality and risk of bias of included studies.
Results:
Twenty-nine aminoglycoside-ototoxicity studies met the selection criteria (including 7 randomized controlled trials). Overall study quality was medium/low. The frequency of hearing loss within these studies ranged from 0%-57%, whereas the frequency of tinnitus and vertigo ranged between 0%-53% and 0%-79%, respectively. Two studies met the criteria on glycopeptide-induced ototoxicity and reported hearing loss frequencies of 54% and 55%. Hearing loss frequencies were higher in gentamicin-treated children compared to those treated with other aminoglycosides. In available studies aminoglycosides had most often been administered concomitantly with platinum agents, diuretics and other co-medication.
Conclusions:
In children the reported occurrence of aminoglycoside/glycopeptide ototoxicity highly varies and seems to depend on the diagnosis, aminoglycoside subtype and use of co-administered medication. More research is needed to investigate the prevalence and determinants of aminoglycoside/glycopeptide ototoxicity. Our results indicate that age-dependent audiological examination may be considered for children frequently treated with aminoglycosides/glycopeptides especially if combined with other ototoxic medication.
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