Sensorineural hearing loss after bacterial meningitis in children residing in Nur-Sultan
Authors:   Medical University Astana, Nur-Sultan, Republic of Kazakhstan, Seidullayeva A. ,   Multidisciplinary City Children's Hospital No 3, Nur-Sultan, Republic of Kazakhstan, Bayesheva D. ,   Medical University Astana, Nur-Sultan, Republic of Kazakhstan,   Multidisciplinary City Children's Hospital No 3, Nur-Sultan, Republic of Kazakhstan, Turdalina B. ,   Medical University Astana, Nur-Sultan, Republic of Kazakhstan,   Multidisciplinary City Children's Hospital No 3, Nur-Sultan, Republic of Kazakhstan, Altynbekova A. ,   Medical University Astana, Nur-Sultan, Republic of Kazakhstan,   Multidisciplinary City Children's Hospital No 3, Nur-Sultan, Republic of Kazakhstan, Utegenova R. ,   Medical University Astana, Nur-Sultan, Republic of Kazakhstan,   Multidisciplinary City Children's Hospital No 3, Nur-Sultan, Republic of Kazakhstan, Nurtazina G. ,   Medical University Astana, Nur-Sultan, Republic of Kazakhstan,   Multidisciplinary City Children's Hospital No 3, Nur-Sultan, Republic of Kazakhstan, Volkova G. ,   Multidisciplinary City Children's Hospital No 3, Nur-Sultan, Republic of Kazakhstan, Zhuzzhasarova A. ,   Medical University Astana, Nur-Sultan, Republic of Kazakhstan,   Multidisciplinary City Children's Hospital No 3, Nur-Sultan, Republic of Kazakhstan, Omarova A. ,   Medical University Astana, Nur-Sultan, Republic of Kazakhstan,   Multidisciplinary City Children's Hospital No 3, Nur-Sultan, Republic of Kazakhstan, Elubayeva A. ,   Center of Neurology and Epilepsy, Nur-Sultan, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kozhakhmetov S. ,   Center for Life Sciences, National Laboratory Astanа, Nazarbaev University, Nur-Sultan, Republic of Kazakhstan,   Innovation Center ArtScience, Nur-Sultan, Republic of Kazakhstan
Published: March 2021

Bacterial meningitis (BM) is a widespread health problem characterized by severe clinical manifestations and high incidence of neurological complications. BM remains one of the main causes of disability and mortality among young children all over the world. Hearing loss is one of neurological complications associated with BM. It accounts for up to 60%–90% of all cases of acquired sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Between 2015 and 2018, we performed screening for SNHL among children who had had BM. Seven out of 62 patients examined (11.3%) were found to have SNHL. BM was primarily caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 4) and Neisseria meningitidis (n = 3). Three out of 4 patients had grade 3–4 SNHL. Computed tomography revealed cochlear ossification in two children and cochlear fibrosis in one child (who had successful cochlear implantation later). For the rest of the patients, we recommended hearing aids. We also found that hearing loss usually develops after BM and does not affect patients with viral meningitis (caused by enteroviruses). We recommend that children with BM undergo regular screening for SNHL (every 3 days during treatment) using otoacoustic emission. These patients should be also examined by an audiologist after discharge from hospital and then every three months for a year. Key words: children, cochlear implantation, meningitis, sensorineural hearing loss, acquired deafness