Objective To investigate the relation between lenticulostriated vasculopathy (LSV) and hearing loss in a large group of infants with congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection.
Methods All infants followed in our clinic with cCMV and having only LSV as an imagine sign of brain involvement are included. Part of these children were not treated with gan/valganciclovir at the period 2006-2009 (group 1), and since mid 2009 all were treated (group 2). Those born with LSV and hearing loss at birth were treated from birth during all study period (group 3). Asymptomatic infants with cCMV born at the same period are the control group (group 4).
Results 141 infants were enrolled during the study period as follow: group 1 – 13 infants, group 2 – 51 infants, group 3 – 25 infants and group 4 – 52 infants. Hearing deterioration developed significantly more in infants with only LSV who were not treated (group 1) compared with infants with only LSV who were treated (group 2) (85% vs. 0%, p<0.001), and compared with the asymptomatic group (group 4) (85% vs. 10%, p<0.001). Hearing deterioration developed significantly more often in infants in the asymptomatic group (group 4) compared with infants with only LSV who were treated (group 2) (10% vs. 0%, p=0.008).
Conclusions LSV may serve as a sign of CNS involvement and further hearing deterioration in infants with cCMV infection. Thus, early anti viral treatment may be prudent in order to prevent hearing deterioration in these infants.
