Otologic Evaluation in Children with Turner Syndrome.

Kim,  Jung Soo; Kim,  Sang Ryul; Chung,  Woo Yeong

Ann Pediatr Endocrinol Metab > Volume 10(1); 2005 > Article

Original Article

Journal of Korean Society of Pediatric Endocrinology 2005;10(1): 71-75.

Otologic Evaluation in Children with Turner Syndrome.

Jung Soo Kim, Sang Ryul Kim, Woo Yeong Chung

¹Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Inje University, Busan Paik Hospital, Busan, Korea. chungwy@chollian.net
²Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Inje University, Busan Paik Hospital, Busan, Korea.

Abstract

PURPOSE
Patients with Turner syndrome have been frequently suspected to have associated various otologic disorders and hearing loss. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the otologic problems in children with Turner Syndrome. METHODS: Twenty patients aged 5 to 20 years who were diagnosed as Turner syndrome were evaluated audiologically.
RESULTS
Five subjects (25.0%) had previous histories of otitis media. An audiological examination was performed for all subjects and revealed normal hearing in 13 patients (65.0%), unilateral hearing loss in 3 patients (15.0%) and bilateral hearing loss in 4 patients (20.0%). Type of the hearing loss was conductive in 3 ears (7.5%), mixed in 2 ears (5.0%) and sensorineural in 6 ears (15.0%). Degree of hearing loss was mild in 9 ears, moderate in 1 ear and moderately severe in 1 ear. The incidence of hearing loss according to the karyotype revealed 10 ears (41.7%) in total deletion of Xp but only 1 ear (6.3%) in partial deletion of Xp.
CONCLUSION
Our results demonstrated that the otitis media and hearing loss were one of the common findings in children with Turner syndrome. These results emphasize the importance of regular otological examinations and audiological evaluation in children with Turner syndrome for quality of life.

Keywords: Turner syndrome;Hearing loss;Otitis media