Treatment of late-onset hearing loss in infants with congenital cytomegalovirus infection

Objective. To evaluate the effect of antiviral treatment on late-onset hearing loss in infants with congenital cytomegalovirus infection. Design. The database of all infants who had normal hearing at birth, and treated for late-onset hearing loss was collected. The primary study endpoint was the need for a cochlear implant at the last follow-up visit. Results. Twenty-one infants met the inclusion criteria. Brain stem-evoked response audiometry testing revealed hearing loss in 35 of 42 ears (83%). Mean age at diagnosis of hearing loss was 7.4 ± 3.7 months and onset of antiviral therapy 10.3 ± 7.8 months. None of the ears showed further deterioration as referred to pretreatment values. Hearing thresholds improved in 29 ears (69%). None of the patients needed a cochlear implant. Conclusions. In children with late-onset hearing loss due to cytomegalovirus infection, antiviral treatment appears to prevent further deterioration and produce improvement. Controlled studies are needed to verify this observation.