Congenital cytomegalovirus infection as a cause of sensorineural hearing loss in a highly immune population

AY Yamamoto, MM Mussi-Pinhata… - The Pediatric …, 2011 - journals.lww.com
AY Yamamoto, MM Mussi-Pinhata, M de Lima Isaac, FR Amaral, CG Carvalheiro…
The Pediatric infectious disease journal, 2011journals.lww.com
Background: The burden of congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV)-associated sensorineural
hearing loss (SNHL) in populations with CMV seroprevalence approaching 100% is
unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the rate, associated factors, and
predictors of SNHL in CMV-infected infants identified by newborn screening in a highly
seropositive maternal population. Methods: Newborns with positive saliva CMV-DNA that
was confirmed by virus isolation in the first 2 weeks of life were enrolled in a prospective …
Abstract
Background:
The burden of congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV)-associated sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in populations with CMV seroprevalence approaching 100% is unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the rate, associated factors, and predictors of SNHL in CMV-infected infants identified by newborn screening in a highly seropositive maternal population.
Methods:
Newborns with positive saliva CMV-DNA that was confirmed by virus isolation in the first 2 weeks of life were enrolled in a prospective follow-up study to monitor hearing outcome.
Results:
Of 12,195 infants screened, 121 (1%) were infected with CMV and 12 (10%) had symptomatic infection at birth. Hearing function could be assessed in 102/121 children who underwent at least one auditory brainstem evoked response testing at a median age of 12 months. SNHL was observed in 10/102 (9.8%; 95% confidence interval: 5.1–16.7) children. Median age at the latest hearing evaluation was 47 months (12–84 months). Profound loss (> 90 dB) was found in 4/5 children with bilateral SNHL while all 5 children with unilateral loss had moderate to severe deficit. The presence of symptomatic infection at birth (odds ratio, 38.1; 95% confidence interval: 1.6–916.7) was independently associated with SNHL after adjusting for intrauterine growth restriction, gestational age, gravidity, and maternal age. Among 10 infants with SNHL, 6 (60%) were born to mothers with nonprimary CMV infection.
Conclusions:
Even in populations with near universal immunity to CMV, congenital CMV infection is a significant cause of SNHL demonstrating the importance of CMV as a major cause of SNHL in children worldwide. As in other populations, SNHL is more frequently observed in symptomatic CMV infection.
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins