RESUMO
To investigate the incidence, characteristics, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of coronavirus disease (COVID-19)-related sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) in children, three cases of SSNHL after COVID-19 infection in children were analyzed. ENT clinical examination of all cases was normal. Only the third child had a first degree left-beating optokinetic nystagmus, compatible with right peripheral vestibulopathy. The audiogram indicated unilateral severe SSNHL in all frequencies. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and temporal bones also showed absence of pathology of the related structures. Oral methylprednisolone was administered to the first two cases, whereas intravenous methylprednisolone in a tapering form was administered to the third case. Additionally, the children underwent intratympanic dexamethasone injections and hyperbaric oxygen therapy with hearing improvement in lower and middle frequencies. The prognosis of COVID-19-related SSNHL in children is closely related to the onset of treatment. The combination of glucocorticoids, intratympanic dexamethasone injections, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy could be effective for COVID- 19-related SSNHL in children. Further large-scale, multicenter studies should be conducted to investigate the pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of COVID- 19-related SSNHL.
RESUMO
The incidence of sensorineural hearing loss is between 1 and 3 per 1000 in healthy neonates and 2-4 per 100 in high-risk infants. In this study, we assessed the incidence of hearing impairment in normal term (≥ 37 wga) infants (control group), in children with suspicion and/or risk factors of hearing loss, included premature infants (< 37 weeks gestational age (wga) and/or low birth weight < 2,5 Kgr), in children diagnosed with a specific syndrome and in children with speech disorder, candidate for speech therapy. Hearing impairment is a severe consequence of prematurity and its prevalence is inversely related to the maturity of the baby based on gestation age and /or birth weight. Both above parameters are of particular importance and it has not been found that one factor prevails over the other. Premature infants have many concomitant risk factors for hearing impairment. The most important other risk factors were ototoxic medications, very low birth weight and "treatment in the intensive care unit '' (low Apgar score and mechanical ventilation). Frequent risk factors such as congenital infections and family history of hearing loss, although frequently recorded, does not seem to be very significant. Children with speech disorder do not seem to suffer from hearing impairment more frequently than children in general population.
