The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in children with sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a retrospective study.
CONCLUSIONS
The elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) value in children with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) would suggest the inflammatory etiology of pediatric SSNHL. The results of this study may suggest NLR value can be used as a useful indicator, which is associated with the disease severity in pediatric SSNHL.


OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to elucidate any clues of inflammatory etiology, which might be related with the development of pediatric SSNHL, using calculated NLR.


METHODS
Forty-six patients aged younger than 19 years, who were admitted to the hospital with the diagnosis of SSNHL, were included in the study. Forty-six healthy children were matched as control group according to their propensity score. The complete blood cell count, calculated NLR, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and mean platelet volume (MPV) were compared. The relationship between NLR and the initial hearing level was also investigated.


RESULTS
The mean NLR value was 2.86 ± 2.58 in the SSNHL group, whereas the mean NLR value was 1.63 ± 0.87 in the control group. The mean NLR value of the SSNHL children was significantly higher than that of the control group (p = .023). There was a positive correlation between the NLR value and initial hearing level (r = .312, p = .037).
a Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery , Hallym University Sacred Hospital , Anyang , Korea.
Joong Seob
JS
Lee
a Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery , Hallym University Sacred Hospital , Anyang , Korea.
Sung Kwang
SK
Hong
a Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery , Hallym University Sacred Hospital , Anyang , Korea.
Dong Hyun
DH
Kim
a Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery , Hallym University Sacred Hospital , Anyang , Korea.
Ju Han
JH
Lee
a Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery , Hallym University Sacred Hospital , Anyang , Korea.
Hyo-Jeong
HJ
Lee
a Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery , Hallym University Sacred Hospital , Anyang , Korea.
Bumjung
B
Park
a Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery , Hallym University Sacred Hospital , Anyang , Korea.
Hyo Geun
HG
Choi
a Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery , Hallym University Sacred Hospital , Anyang , Korea.
Il Gyu
IG
Kong
b Department of Family Medicine , Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital , Anyang , Korea.|c Center for Health Promotion , Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital , Anyang , Korea.
Hong Ji
HJ
Song
a Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery , Hallym University Sacred Hospital , Anyang , Korea.
Hyung-Jong
HJ
Kim
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000276:immunology*; D003639:Hearing Loss, Sudden / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies
Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio; children; sudden deafness