title: Impaired balance and neurodevelopmental disabilities among children with congenital cytomegalovirus infection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common congenital infection, existing research has not provided us with a full picture of how this can affect children in the future. The aim of this case-control study was to evaluate disabilities in a well-defined group of children with congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, who had been fitted with cochlear implants because of severe hearing impairment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A multidisciplinary team assessed 26 children with congenital CMV infection for balance difficulties, neurodevelopmental disabilities and language and visual impairment. We also included a control group of 13 children with severe hearing impairment due to connexin 26 mutations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of the children with congenital CMV infection (88%) displayed balance disturbances, including walking at a later age, but there were no cases in the control group. The CMV group also displayed frequent neurodevelopmental disabilities and feeding difficulties.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Congenital CMV infection affects the general development of the brain and gives rise to a complex pattern of difficulties. Identifying comorbid conditions is very important, as children with associated difficulties and disabilities need more support than children with just hearing impairment. Congenital CMV infection needs to be considered in children with hearing impairment and/or balance disturbance and/or neurodevelopmental disabilities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clintec, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.|Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Karltorp
authors.affiliation: Department of Clintec, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.|Department of Speech and Language Pathology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.|HEAD Graduate School, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Ulrika
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Löfkvist
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.|Division of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Ilona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lewensohn-Fuchs
authors.affiliation: Department of Clintec, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.|Division of Pediatrics, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Katarina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lindström
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Mimmi Eriksson
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Westblad
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.|Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, St Erik Eye Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Kristina Teär
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Fahnehjelm
authors.affiliation: Department of Clintec, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.|Department of Audiology and Neurotology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Verrecchia
authors.affiliation: Department of Clintec, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.|Division of Pediatrics, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Mona-Lisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Engman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000151:congenital*; D005260:Female; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000601:surgery / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D065886:Neurodevelopmental Disorders / Q000821:virology*; D004856:Postural Balance; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000821:virology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Balance disorder; Congenital infection; Feeding problems; Hearing impairment