Auditory Evaluation in a Case of Hearing Loss in an Infant With Congenital Zika Syndrome (Czs)

Abstract

Background:The Zika virus (ZIKV) was detected in Brazil in 2014. At the end of 2015 microcephaly was the first distinctive sign. By 2016, the first two cases of congenital Zika had been described, with a strong correlation between the virus and microcephaly.Case report: A male infant was born at 32 weeks gestation, weight 1,750 grams, cranial perimeter 26 cm. He remained in intensive care for 5 days for neonatal seizures, required oxygen therapy, and had early sepsis. After 11 days in hospital a diagnosis of microcephaly was made. At 12 months, hydrocephalus was identified by computed tomography, with calcification foci in the subcortical region, basal nuclei, cerebellum, and brainstem. These characteristics are typical of congenital zika syndrome (CZS). Audiological tests were done: immittanciometry (tympanometry and acoustic reflex), transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE), distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE), click ABR, and frequency following response (FFR). In patients with ZIKV, radiological findings show distinctive calcifications at the graywhite matter junction and degrees of delayed cortical development. The findings here of no acoustic reflex and a reduction in otoacoustic emissions in both ears is a preliminary indication of outer hair cell involvement that could later lead to communication deficits. ABR responses showed hearing pathway impairment in both ears up to the brainstem, and diminished FFR responses point to possible difficulties in speech perception. The present case study adds to our knowledge of the effect of CZS on the auditory system and strengthens the recommendation that ZIKV be included as an indicator for risk of hearing loss.

Avaliação do processo maturacional auditivo em crianças portadoras da síndrome da infecção congênita pelo Zika vírus

“…Testes audiológicos tem mostrado alterações cocleares. sincronia de tronco encefálico dentro da normalidade e alterações em testes que avaliam funções corticais essenciais para o desenvolvimento de linguagem [37][38][39] . Estudo que avaliou 88 crianças infectadas pelo ZIKV com limiares auditivos normais.…”

Evaluation of the maturational auditory process in children with the infection by Zika congenital syndrome

“…Audiological tests have shown cochlear disorders. brainstem synchrony within the normal range and alterations in tests that assess essential cortical functions for language development [37][38][39] . A study that assessed 88 children infected by ZIKV with normal hearing thresholds found delayed development of communication skills in 87.5% of the sample.…”

Encoding of speech sounds with frequency-following response in infants with Congenital Zika Syndrome: A case-controlled study

“…And that the hearing loss seems to be present at birth and no change or worsening of the auditory condition has been observed. A study 13 documented a scenario of hearing impairment in an infant afflicted with CZS, who spent five days in intensive care due to neonatal seizures, necessitating oxygen therapy, and experienced early sepsis. Additionally, following an 11-day hospital stay, a diagnosis of microcephaly was established, and at the age of 12 months, computed tomography revealed hydrocephalus, accompanied by calcifications in the subcortical region, basal nuclei, cerebellum, and brainstem.…”