The Relationship between Consanguineous Marriage and Hearing Loss in Patients Referring to Isfahan Cochlear Implant Center, Iran

Abstract

Background: The distinction of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) causes is important for the prevention and treatment. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between consanguineous marriage and hearing loss resulting cochlear implant. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study from April 2017 to April 2018, 680 patients with severe to profound SNHL referring to Isfahan Cochlear Implantation Center, Isfahan, Iran, were investigated. A checklist was designed to collect available patients' records information including demographic characteristics of the cases and the consanguineous marriage of their parents. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. Findings: In patients resulting from consanguineous marriage, 184 cases (44.1%) had profound hearing loss, 116 (27.8%) severe to profound hearing loss, 40 (9.6%) severe hearing loss, 68 (16.3%) moderate to severe hearing loss, and 9 (2.2%) moderate hearing loss; these values for patients of non-consanguineous marriage were 108 (41.1%), 100 (38.1%), 19 (7.2%), 33 (12.5%), and 3 (1.1%) cases, respectively (P = 0.13). Furthermore, there was no significant difference between the types of consanguineous marriage in terms of severity of hearing loss (P = 0.61). Conclusion: In according to results, consanguineous marriage has high prevalence among children with SNHL, but there is no significant association between the types of consanguineous marriage with severity of hearing loss in children with SNHL resulting in cochlear implantation.

Keywords

• sensorineural hearing loss
• consanguineous marriage
• cochlear implant