Isolated deafness following recovery from neurologic injury and adult respiratory distress syndrome. A sequela of intercurrent aminoglycoside and diuretic use
A. M. Lynn, G. J. Redding, J. P. Morray and D. C. Tyler
We report two children who survived neurologic injury (near-drowning and
Reye's syndrome) and adult respiratory distress syndrome and who required
prolonged ventilatory support. Follow-up examination in both children
showed steady neurologic recovery, but five months following discharge from
their acute illness, profound hearing loss was diagnosed in both children.
A review of the literature is reported and the hypothesis that combined
aminoglycoside antibiotic and loop diuretic therapy caused the hearing loss
is presented. Recommendation is made for audiologic assessment within six
months of recovery from critical illness of pediatric patients in whom
therapy has included loop diuretic and aminoglycoside antibiotic therapy.