Authors (including presenting author) :
Chan WH(1), Chung WHE(1), Chan KWK(3), Li CM(3), Wong CME(3), Chu TC(3), Chan NM(1), Siu KL(1), Ho WTN(1), Ho PPK(1), Wong SMY(1), Yau YS(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Department of Paediatrics, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, (2) Kowloon Central Cluster Statistics Office, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, (3)Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Keyword 1: :
congenital CMV infection
Keyword 2: :
sensorineural hearing loss
Keyword 3: :
antiviral treatment
Keyword 4: :
hearing outcome
Introduction :
Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection is the most common congenital infection and the major infectious disease cause of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in the world. Antiviral therapy started within 3-month-of-life for 6 months can improve hearing outcomes in these patients. However, the long-term hearing outcomes of cCMV patients is unknown in Hong Kong.
Objectives :
Review the long-term hearing outcomes of symptomatic cCMV patients who received antiviral treatment in the Department of Paediatrics, Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) from 1st January 2015 to 31st December 2024, and assess the necessity of long-term hearing assessment in cCMV patients till 18-year-old according to current hearing surveillance protocol in QEH.
Methodology :
Newborns diagnosed of cCMV infection were assessed by paediatric infectious diseases physicians and antiviral therapy were started within 3-month-of-life for symptomatic cCMV patients. These patients underwent serial hearing assessments to look for progressive SNHL associated with cCMV infection.
Result & Outcome :
There are 23 patients diagnosed symptomatic cCMV infection. Serial hearing assessments for all these patients with various methods according to age. Twelve (52.2%) have normal hearing. Total 11 patients (47.8%) have SNHL, of which 2(8.7%) have mild SNHL, 3(13%) have moderate SNHL, 3(13%) have severe SNHL, and 3(13%) have profound SNHL. Two (8.7%) have bilateral severe-profound SNHL whom can have bilateral cochlear implants (CIs), however, CIs were performed in 1 patient as other has moderate intellectual disability and considered not to be a candidate for CIs. Three (13%) prescribed unilateral or bilateral hearing aids for unilateral or bilateral severe-profound SNHL. The median age of onset of SNHL is 4.2-year-old. It is observed that 5(21.7%) have progressive SNHL despite normal hearing assessments before 4-year-old.This study shows significant proportion of cCMV patients received antiviral treatment still have SNHL, of which large proportion has progressive hearing deterioration at different ages over the years. It is suggested that cCMV patients should undergo serial hearing assessments till 18-year-old according to the current hearing surveillance protocol in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, QEH.
