Otologic and audiologic characteristics of children with skeletal dysplasia in central China.

CONCLUSION

Otologic and audiologic abnormalities are both highly prevalent in Chinese children with skeletal dysplasias. Audiologic and otologic evaluations with medical intervention are recommended for these children.

OBJECTIVE

Children with skeletal dysplasia have a number of otolaryngologic issues including hearing loss. This study aimed to investigate the otologic and audiologic features of Chinese children with skeletal dysplasia in central China.

METHODS

Otologic evaluations and pure tone audiometry were performed in children with skeletal dysplasias. To explore the potential associations with hearing loss, we studied various craniofacial anomalies.

RESULTS

A total of 125 children (mean age 9.2 years, range 5-18 years) with skeletal dysplasia were enrolled, and otoscopic examination identified eardrum abnormalities in 45.6% of the children. Audiologic analysis revealed 14 cases (11.2%) with conductive hearing loss (CHL) and 22 cases (17.6%) with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL).