title: Congenital rubella syndrome: function of equilibrium of 80 cases with deafness.
abstract: The equilibrium function of 80 deaf children with congenital rubella syndrome, aged 12, was examined by the caloric and righting reflex tests. Of these 80 children, 24 (30%) had vestibular hypofunction, 6 (7.5%) were suspect, and the remaining 50 (62.5%) were normal. Of all 160 ears tested, vestibular hypofunction was proven in 21.3%, suspect in 5.6%, and normal in the rest. There was no correlation between the incidence of vestibular hypofunction and the degree of hearing loss. Of the 30 children with vestibular hypofunction, 14 (47%) showed a normal righting reflex, suggesting the working of a compensatory mechanism. Of the 50 children with normal caloric responses, 26% revealed an abnormal righting reflex. This discrepancy might be accounted for by an otolith organ injury or minimal brain dysfunction.
mesh_terms: D002150:Caloric Tests; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000151:congenital* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D004856:Postural Balance; D012409:Rubella / Q000151:congenital* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013577:Syndrome; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000503:physiopathology