Fattori predittivi per l’ipoacusia nell’infezione congenita da citomegalovirus.

Objectives: The aim of the present study aims is to describe a sample of patients with congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection, particularly focusing on audiological and neurological/neuroradiological data. Methods: Retrospective study on a sample of 25 subjects with cCMV infection (symptomatic and asymptomatic), followed at the Audiology Service of the Sant’ Anna Hospital (Ferrara). The following data were collected: maternal CMV infection (primary versus non-primary), time of in-utero infection, systemic signs and/or symptoms or laboratory tests anomalies due to cCMV infection, and signs and/ or symptoms of central nervous system involvement at birth. In addition, a brain imaging analysis was performed among symptomatic patients, evaluating the available brain ultrasonography and encephalic Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) exams. Results: 14 patients presented asymptomatic cCMV infection, while 11 symptomatic infection. 18/25 (72%) patients developed sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) - 8 patients in the asymptomatic group and 10 patients in the symptomatic one. 3 cases of late-onset SNHL were identified in asymptomatic patients. 6/11 subjects with symptomatic infection showed neurological signs and/or symptoms at birth. Ventriculomegaly, cystic/psuedocystic lesions, white matter abnormalities, and lenticulostriate vasculopathy were the most frequent neuroradiologic anomalies found among symptomatic patients. Conclusions: SNHL occurred more frequently in the symptomatic group. Asymptomatic patients remain at risk to develop SNHL, too. Therefore, the referral to Audiology Center of all newborns with a diagnosis of cCMV infection at birth should be recommended. More than half of symptomatic patients showed neurological signs and/or symptoms at birth; brain imaging analysis showed recurrent neuroradiological abnormalities in congenital CMV infection.