Genetic and Non-genetic Workup for Pediatric Congenital Hearing Loss

Ryan Belcher; Frank Virgin; Jessica Duis; Christopher Wootten

doi:10.3389/fped.2021.536730

Genetic and Non-genetic Workup for Pediatric Congenital Hearing Loss

Front Pediatr. 2021 Mar 22:9:536730. doi: 10.3389/fped.2021.536730. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Ryan Belcher¹, Frank Virgin¹, Jessica Duis¹, Christopher Wootten¹

Affiliation

¹ Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Vanderbilt Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital, Nashville, TN, United States.

Abstract

Hearing loss is one of the most common concerns for presentation for a geneticist. Presentation prior to the age of one (congenital hearing loss), profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), and bilateral hearing loss are sensitive and should raise concern for genetic causes of hearing loss and prompt referral for genetic testing. Genetic testing particularly in this instance offers the opportunity for anticipatory guidance including possible course of the hearing loss over time and also connection and evaluation for additional congenital anomalies that may be associated with an underlying syndrome vs. isolated genetic hearing loss.

Keywords: congenital hearing deficit; genetic; genetic algorithm; hearing loss; hearing problems.

Publication types

Review