Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection Presenting as Isolated Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Ekkatampalayam Periyeswami Rhajkumar, Rakesh Kotha, Alimelu Madireddy, Himabindu Singh, Mahesh Rathod

Abstract

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is seen in approximately 1% of neonates. Among the congenitally infected neonates, 10% to 15% are symptomatic at birth. Of the symptomatic cases, 90% have various sequelae, from isolated hearing loss to severe mental and motor loss. Approximately 15% of the neonates with asymptomatic congenital CMV have unilateral or bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. Routine newborn audiologic screening may not help detect cases of CMV-associated hearing loss because this deficit may develop over months or years after birth. Early detection of congenital CMV infection is imperative, as it can be treated in time and it can prevent the condition from becoming severe. We present a case of an asymptomatic neonate with isolated hearing loss, which is a rare presentation.