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Are There Any Genetic Tests To Find Out The Causes For Hearing Loss In Infants?
Question: Dear Doctor,
I have been blessed with an baby girl 4 months back. However we just found out that my baby girl have hearing loss problems. I am really looking the reason to find out the same. She had a full term delivery, no complication of any sought during pregenancy and also baby didn't have any problems. I heard that the genes cause hearing loss in 50-60% of the cases. As both of us don't have any member in family who has hearing loss I want to find out the causes for her hearing loss. If I want to find out if it was thru genetic please suggest me what tests should I perform and tentatively how much cost it could incur. As I am planning to have a second baby some time in future I really want to make sure that second baby also don't have same problem.
I have been blessed with an baby girl 4 months back. However we just found out that my baby girl have hearing loss problems. I am really looking the reason to find out the same. She had a full term delivery, no complication of any sought during pregenancy and also baby didn't have any problems. I heard that the genes cause hearing loss in 50-60% of the cases. As both of us don't have any member in family who has hearing loss I want to find out the causes for her hearing loss. If I want to find out if it was thru genetic please suggest me what tests should I perform and tentatively how much cost it could incur. As I am planning to have a second baby some time in future I really want to make sure that second baby also don't have same problem.
Brief Answer:
It can be very costly.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HelathcareMagic.
The molecular genetic testing for the entire hearing loss and deafness panel costs about Rs.45,000 and takes 6 weeks for the results to be generated. It might be lesser if the clinical suspicion points to some definite syndrome in particular.
There are various labs which do such testing. You can find details of one such lab at:
https://dnalabsindia.com
Private lab Super Religare Laboratories as well as SRL are other labs who undertake such tests.
You may benefit from going through:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1434/
Regards
It can be very costly.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HelathcareMagic.
The molecular genetic testing for the entire hearing loss and deafness panel costs about Rs.45,000 and takes 6 weeks for the results to be generated. It might be lesser if the clinical suspicion points to some definite syndrome in particular.
There are various labs which do such testing. You can find details of one such lab at:
https://dnalabsindia.com
Private lab Super Religare Laboratories as well as SRL are other labs who undertake such tests.
You may benefit from going through:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1434/
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
hi Doctor,
what are the chances that my second baby will also have the same problem.
what are the chances that my second baby will also have the same problem.
Brief Answer:
Explanation provided.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
It is hard to answer your question with such little amount of information. I would insist you to go through:
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/hearingloss/freematerials/parentsguide508.pdf
The answer to your question depends upon the possible cause of the hearing loss. This can be due to autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive cause. Assuming that neither you nor your husband have hearing loss, I would rather rule out an autosomal dominant cause. If it is due to autosomal recessive genes (where both of you need to be carriers of the gene), there is some (1 in 4) chance of the subsequent child to be affected. On the other hand, if the hearing loss is due to sporadic genetic changes, the chances of it affecting the subsequent child are next to zero. Hence, I would rather suggest you to go for a genetic counselling where the associated factors would be evaluated and the possibilities would be explained to you.
For the child for whom you had begun the discussion, discuss with your treating physician if cochlear implant is a prospective solution.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards
Explanation provided.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back.
It is hard to answer your question with such little amount of information. I would insist you to go through:
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/hearingloss/freematerials/parentsguide508.pdf
The answer to your question depends upon the possible cause of the hearing loss. This can be due to autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive cause. Assuming that neither you nor your husband have hearing loss, I would rather rule out an autosomal dominant cause. If it is due to autosomal recessive genes (where both of you need to be carriers of the gene), there is some (1 in 4) chance of the subsequent child to be affected. On the other hand, if the hearing loss is due to sporadic genetic changes, the chances of it affecting the subsequent child are next to zero. Hence, I would rather suggest you to go for a genetic counselling where the associated factors would be evaluated and the possibilities would be explained to you.
For the child for whom you had begun the discussion, discuss with your treating physician if cochlear implant is a prospective solution.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards
Note: For detailed guidance on genetic screening consult a genetics specialist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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