title: The prevalence of hearing loss in children and adolescents with cancer.
abstract: The treatment of cancer in children has several side effects, including ototoxicity. Inner ear structures may be affected and hearing loss may ensue.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the prevalence of hearing loss in patients with cancer using the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the Pediatric Oncology Group Toxicity (POGT), and the Bilateral Hearing Loss (PAB) criteria.
  
  
  METHODS
  a prospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  94 patients admitted between 2003 and 2004 were analyzed. Visual inspection of the external auditory meatus and an audiologic evaluation were done. Descriptive statistics was used to characterize the sample, and Kappa statistics was used to investigate concordance of hearing loss in the three types of classification.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of hearing loss was 42.5% using ASHA, 40.4% using POGT, and 12.8% using PAB. The concordance of hearing loss was weak for POGT and PAB (k=0.36) and for PAB and ASHA (k=0.33). The concordance between ASHA and POGT was almost perfect (k=0.96).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hearing loss is an important side effect of the treatment of cancer in children. Periodic audiology monitoring is recommended to detect early hearing loss and to revise the treatment if necessary. Adoption of a classification system that detects mild hearing loss (ASHA) is recommended.
authors: USP Schoolo Public Health, University of São Paulo. alinems@usp.br
authors: Aline Medeiros
authors: AM
authors: da Silva
authors: Maria do Rosário Dias de Oliveira
authors: Mdo R
authors: Latorre
authors: Lilian Maria
authors: LM
authors: Cristofani
authors: Vicente
authors: V
authors: Odone Filho
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006315:Hearing Loss, Functional / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006320:Hearing Tests / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents