Adverse perinatal conditions and the inner ear.
Epidemiological studies in a number of Western countries have attributed 6-14% of sensorineural hearing impairment from birth or early childhood to problems relating to the birth process [1-4]. In spite of this association it is not always clear in individual instances whether adverse perinatal conditions identified subsequently have been causative of a hearing loss or not. It is possible that the hearing impairment was the consequence of an earlier intrauterine insult or is a coincidental finding. Infants carrying genetic mutations for hearing loss may coincidentally experience perinatal stress. It is therefore important to investigate the cause of a hearing loss discovered in infancy irrespective of the history of the infant having experienced adverse conditions surrounding the time of birth.
Newton
V
V
Department of Autodiological Medicine, Manchester Royal Infirmary and University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. newton@fs1.ed.man.ac.uk
D000617:Aminoglycosides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D001724:Birth Weight; D003638:Deafness / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D002658:Developmental Disabilities; D006309:Hearing / Q000187:drug effects; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D007567:Jaundice, Neonatal / Q000150:complications; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000150:complications; D012307:Risk Factors
D000617:Aminoglycosides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents