IJSR International Journal of Scientific Research 2277 - 8179 Indian Society for Health and Advanced Research ijsr-7-2-14278 Original Research Paper TORCH Screening for Cochlear Implantation – A Preliminary Study Rohan Patel Dr. February 2018 7 2 01 02 ABSTRACT

 

BACKGROUND: TORCH infection in early life is an established risk factor for severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss(SNHL). TORCH screening is used mainly for screening pregnant women and infants. If the screening had been performed early on, early management could prevent progression and stabilize hearing.

 

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to ascertain the role of TORCH (toxoplasma, rubella, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex) infection and screening in children with bilateral profound SNHL in comparison with children having normal hearing.

 

METHOD: Review of TORCH screening results in 2015 from 338 patients with bilateral profound  SNHL(cases) & underwent cochlear implants between 2004 and 2015 at Department of ENT & Head–Neck Surgery, B. J. Medical College,  Ahmedabad as well as 523 children with normal hearing(control) was conducted. Age group of both group was between 1 to 14 years. TORCH antibody status of both groups was compared.

 

RESULT: From 338 patients, 230(68.04%) positive for cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgG antibody, 146(43.2%) were positive for Rubella virus IgG antibody, and 14(4.14%) were positive for herpes simplex virus IgG antibody, 10(3%) were positive for toxoplasma virus IgG antibody and 9(2.67%) were positive for TB IgG antibody.

 

CONCLUSION:  The data obtained suggest that IgG positivity of TORCH in test group was significantly high in comparison with control group which suggests past history of TORCH infection during childhood as most important etiology of SNHL. Though TORCH screening is not useful for the management of deaf child, If the TORCH screening was performed early that could be better prevention & treatment of childhood deafness.