Prevalence of Sensorineural Hearing Loss due to Rubella in Saudi Children

Abstract

We found positive IgM antibody against rubella virus in the blood of 23 out of 1,054 (2.2%) children (age ranged between 12 months and 14 years). Fifteen of 23 infected children were found to have bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (4 children of the at-risk group and 11 of 19 from the not-at-risk group). Hearing impairment was bilateral in all cases, profound in 1 moderate to severe in 9 and mild in 5. The serological results of the examined children are discussed and compared with other reported results. The prevalence rate of rubella infection is low. This is attributed to the universal childhood vaccination programme compulsory for all Saudi children.