Deafness in children can be caused by prematurity, viruses, ear infections, genetic factors, and conditions like Down syndrome. Premature birth can increase the risk of hearing loss, while viruses like cytomegalovirus can cause hearing loss and other serious problems. Ear infections can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss, and genetic factors can also play a role. Certain genetic abnormalities and syndromes can also contribute to deafness in children.
There are many causes of deafness in children. Among these are prematurity and viruses to which a baby may be exposed in the womb. Ear infections can also cause both temporary and permanent hearing loss. Genes passed from parent to child can cause deafness in children as well. Also, deafness in children can develop due to Down syndrome and other conditions that develop due to genetic abnormalities.
Perhaps surprisingly, premature birth is among the causes of deafness in babies. When a baby is born before eight months of pregnancy, their hearing system is less likely to be fully formed and mature than if they were born after a full-term pregnancy. This can increase a child’s risk of hearing loss early in life. Additionally, studies have shown that a premature baby’s ears are more vulnerable than those of a full-term baby.
Sometimes the cause of deafness in children is exposure to the virus before birth. For example, if a woman becomes infected with a virus called cytomegalovirus during pregnancy, her baby is more likely to be born with hearing loss. This virus can also lead to other serious problems for a developing baby. For example, it can also cause a child to be born with mental retardation or blindness. It can also cause or contribute to the development of cerebral palsy.
Ear infections are also among the most common causes of deafness in children. Many children develop ear infections without experiencing significant hearing loss, but these infections pose a real risk. A child who occasionally develops ear infections may have a buildup of fluid in the ear that causes temporary hearing loss. When a child experiences many ear infections, however, their chances of developing permanent hearing loss increase.
Genetic factors are also among the causes of hearing loss in children. For example, if a parent has a gene for hearing loss, a child may also be more likely to have hearing loss. If both parents have genes for hearing loss, deafness is even more likely. Interestingly, genes are sometimes expressed in only some of a parent’s children, and some types of genetic hearing loss are passed on only to children of a particular gender.
Sometimes genetic abnormalities that are not directly related to hearing loss can contribute to hearing loss in children. For example, Down syndrome, which results from a chromosomal abnormality, can cause or contribute to deafness in children. Similarly, conditions such as Alport and Usher syndrome, which are genetic syndromes, can cause deafness in children.
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