Aminoglycoside ototoxicity in the neonatal period: possible etiologic factor delayed postural control

Forty-three infants, treated with aminoglycosides during the neonatal period, were tested repeatedly over a period of two to five years for neurovestibular responses. Results of testing were compared with those obtained from a group of 276 healthy newborns followed simultaneously. No abnormalities were found in the untreated group. Among the treated infants, three had a sensorineural hearing loss and eight had laboratory evidence of vestibular dysfunction and delay of head and postural control.