Prevalence and aetiology of congenitally deafblind people in Denmark.
A study of prevalence and aetiology was performed on 63 children and 127 adults in Denmark with congenital deafblindness. Using a Scandinavian definition of deafblindness, the prevalence of congenital deafblindness was found to be 1:29 000. Thirty-five different aetiological causes of deafblindness were found. Causes of congenital deafblindness were different among adults compared to causes among children. Rubella syndrome (28%, n = 36) and Down syndrome (8%. n = 10) were the largest groups among people above 18 years of age. Among children CHARGE syndrome (16%, n = 13) was the largest group. Ethnicity was also evaluated. Among children 72% were Danish, but among the adults 98% were Danish. Implications of difference in aetiology and ethnicity are discussed in relation to the Scandinavian traditions of clinical practice and identification of congenital deafblindness.
University of Copenhagen, Department of Psychology, and The Danish Resource Centre on Congenital Deafblindness, Aalborg, Denmark. jesper.dammeyer@psy.ku.dk
Jesper
J
Dammeyer
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D054062:Deaf-Blind Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology*; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012410:Rubella Syndrome, Congenital / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D055815:Young Adult