title: Hearing loss in children treated for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aminoglycosides and polypeptides are vital drugs for the management of multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB). Both classes of drug cause hearing loss. We aimed to determine the extent of hearing loss in children treated for MDR-TB.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retrospective study, children (<15 years) admitted to Brooklyn Chest Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa, from January 2009 until December 2010, were included if treated for MDR-TB with injectable drugs. Hearing was assessed and classified using audiometry and otoacoustic emissions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety-four children were included (median age: 43 months). Of 93 tested, 28 (30%) were HIV-infected. Twenty-three (24%) children had hearing loss. Culture-confirmed, as opposed to presumed, diagnosis of TB was a risk factor for hearing loss (OR: 4.12; 95% CI: 1.13-15.0; p = 0.02). Seven of 11 (64%) children classified as having hearing loss using audiometry had progression of hearing loss after finishing the injectable drug.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hearing loss is common in children treated for MDR-TB. Alternative drugs are required for the treatment of paediatric MDR-TB.
authors.affiliation: Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, South Africa. jseddon@sun.ac.za
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Seddon
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thee
authors.forename: Kayleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ebrahim
authors.forename: Anneke C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Hesseling
authors.forename: H Simon
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Schaaf
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001299:Audiometry / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D017084:Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D018088:Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents