[Cisplatin-induced hearing loss in children in relation to eye color].
BACKGROUND
Cisplatin is commonly used as a chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of solid tumors. Ototoxicity is an important side-effect. Melanin in the inner ear either plays an otoprotective role or has a negative influence on hearing. The concentration of cochlear melanin correlates with its concentration in the iris.


METHODS
We retrospectively examined 65 children (37 males, 28 females, average age 7.5 years) treated with cisplatin at the University Clinic of Muenster, Germany. We checked whether their eye color could be inferred from the prevalence and extent of cisplatin-induced hearing loss.


RESULTS
We found a hearing loss of >20 dB in 29 light-eyed and in 21 dark-eyed patients. Seven light-eyed and eight dark-eyed patients did not suffer from hearing impairment. Using the chi(2)-test on these four parameters, we found no significant connection between iris pigmentation and the prevalence or extent of hearing loss, although light-eyed children (80.6%) suffered more from hearing loss than dark-eyed children (72.4%). After the end of therapy with cisplatin, the prevalence of hearing loss was 83.3% in children up to 6 years and 71.4% in children older than 6 years. The average cumulative dose of cisplatin was 372 mg/m(2) of body surface in children with hearing loss, compared to 390 mg/m(2) in children without hearing loss.


CONCLUSIONS
We found no significant correlation between iris pigmentation (eye color) and hearing loss. Cisplatin-induced hearing loss occurs frequently and requires repeated monitoring.
Martin
H C
HC
Klinik und Poliklinik für Phoniatrie und Pädaudiologie, Universitätsklinikum Münster, Kardinal-von-Galen-Ring 10, 48149, Münster, Deutschland. heikocmartin@web.de
Schmidt
C M
CM
Boos
H J
HJ
Heinecke
A
A
Dinnesen
A G
AG
D002945:Cisplatin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005127:Eye Color; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D012307:Risk Factors
D002945:Cisplatin