title: Congenital defects of the middle ear--uncommon cause of pediatric hearing loss.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In children, hypoacusis, or conductive hearing loss, is usually acquired; otitis media with effusion is the most common etiology. However, in some cases this condition is congenital, ranging from deformities of the external and middle ear to isolated ossicular chain malformations. The non-ossicular anomalies of the middle ear, for instance, persistent stapedial artery and anomaly of the facial nerve, are uncommon but may accompany the ossicular defects.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic tests, and therapeutic options of congenital malformations of the middle ear.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective study of cases followed in otolaryngologic consultations since 2007 with the diagnosis of congenital malformation of the middle ear according to the Teunissen and Cremers classification. A review of the literature regarding the congenital malformation of the middle ear and its treatment is presented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Middle ear malformations are rarely responsible for conductive hearing loss in children. As a result, there is often a late diagnosis and treatment of these anomalies, which can lead to delays in the development of language and learning.
authors.affiliation: Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Sara Duarte Sena
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Esteves
authors.affiliation: Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana Pereira da
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Miguel Bebiano
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Coutinho
authors.affiliation: Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: José Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Abrunhosa
authors.affiliation: Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Cecília
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Almeida e Sousa
mesh_terms: D001299:Audiometry; D002648:Child; D004432:Ear, Middle / Q000002:abnormalities*; D005260:Female; D006314:Hearing Loss, Conductive / Q000151:congenital* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed