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Influenza A (H1N1): a rare cause of deafness in two children

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 October 2012

A A Alsanosi*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Abdulrahman Ahmed Alsanosi, Associate Professor, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, King Saud University, PO Box 245, Riyadh 11411, Saudi Arabia Fax: 00966 1 4775748 E-mail: alsanosi@ksu.edu.sa

Abstract

Objective:

We report deafness occurring as an extremely rare complication of influenza A caused by the H1N1 virus (‘swine flu’), in two children.

Methods:

Case reports and review of the literature concerning influenza A (H1N1) and acquired viral infection causing deafness.

Results:

Two children with normal hearing developed bilateral deafness following influenza A (H1N1). The diagnosis was confirmed using polymerase chain reaction. Both patients were treated with oseltamivir.

Conclusion:

Following a review of the literature, these two patients appear to be the first reported cases of bilateral deafness following influenza A (H1N1).

Type
Clinical Records
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2012

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