Hearing status in Egyptian children with nephrotic syndrome

Objective Children with nephrotic syndrome (NS) have biochemical disturbances and many children with NS are treated with multiple courses of diuretics, which cause ototoxicity. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of hearing impairment in children with different clinical types of NS. Materials and methods The study was a cross-sectional one conducted at the Nephrology Clinic, Children Hospital, Cairo University, from September 2013 until May 2014, and included 45 NS children and 15 age-matched and sex-matched healthy children as controls. The cases were divided into three groups, each consisting of 15 patients: group 1 steroid-sensitive NS), group 2 (frequently relapsing NS/steroid-dependent NS), and group 3 (steroid-resistant NS). Pure tone audiometry was done for all cases and controls, using the DANPLEX DA65 audiometer. Results Hearing defect was detected in 10 of the 45 patients (22.22%). Six of them (60%) were from group 3. The number of relapses was significantly more in patients with hearing defect. Conclusion Children with NS are more susceptible to sensorineural hearing defect compared with normal children. steroid-resistant NS children are the most affected ones. Hearing evaluation should be included in the routine management of NS.