Congenital Deafness Caused by Maternal Rubella Infection During Pregnancy

Abstract

Five patients with a congenital deafness caused by maternal rubella infection during pregnancy visited our clinic in 1977. The ages ranged from 3 to 11 months. The diagnosis of deafness was made mainly by Brain Stem Response, partly startle response and C.O.R. Case 1 was diagnosed as a typical congenital rubella syndrome, because of the high HI titer, congenital deafness, PDA+ASD, retinochoroidal degeneration, thrombocytopenia, and hepatosplenomegaly. Case 4 whose HI titer was high was accompanied by microphthalamia and anophthalamia with a positive response at 40dBSL in BSR the left ear and 50 dBSL in the right ear. We conclude that congenital deafness should be determined by Brain Stem Response as early as possible so that an early diagnosis of hearing impairment can be made. © 1979, The Society of Practical Otolaryngology. All rights reserved.