Abstract
Neonatal hearing loss is one of the most common anomalies and is frequently associated with delivery problems. The effects of growth hormone (GH) on brain regeneration after an injury are well known. This paper looks at a male child diagnosed with cerebral palsy, psychomotor affectation, left spastic hemiparesis, and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss after fetal distress due to ruptured membranes before the delivery of more than 30 hours of evolution and several episodes of severe hypoglycemia. From 3.5 months of age, we treated him with GH (0.04 mg/kg/day), Melatonin (5 mg/day and 6 months later 10 mg/day) and rehabilitation, for a period of 14 months; at discharge, the child fully recovered all the disabilities produced by his cerebral palsy, including normal hearing; GMFM-88 increased from 7.84% to 48.23%; Battelle scores increased from 2 to 9 after 7 months of treatment, and to 30, 1 year after discharge. Most likely hearing loss was recovered due to the effect of GH on the production of hair cells from stem cells (only present in very young children) in the cochlear sensory epithelium. This is the first case of recovery of hearing loss in humans after GH administration. Moreover, GH administration is useful and safe for early treatment of cerebral palsy.
Highlights
We have known that a significant bilateral hearing loss is present in approximately1 to 3 per 1000 newborns in the population of children born normal, and in approximately 2 to 4 per 100 babies that after delivery have to receive intensive care [1]
Auditory function in newborns admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICU), especially those treated with oxygen or antibiotics, should be evaluated early to detect the possibility of hearing impairment, as they are at much higher risk of suffering it; any unnecessary oxygen therapy or antibiotics administration should be avoided in these children [4]
Neonatal hypoglycemia is a cause of multiple neurological disorders [6,7] and a risk factor for damage to the inner ear in newborns through various metabolic mechanisms, especially if it is maintained over time [8,9]
Summary
1 to 3 per 1000 newborns in the population of children born normal, and in approximately 2 to 4 per 100 babies that after delivery have to receive intensive care [1]. Auditory function in newborns admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICU), especially those treated with oxygen or antibiotics, should be evaluated early to detect the possibility of hearing impairment, as they are at much higher risk of suffering it; any unnecessary oxygen therapy or antibiotics administration should be avoided in these children [4]. Neonatal hypoglycemia is a cause of multiple neurological disorders [6,7] and a risk factor for damage to the inner ear in newborns through various metabolic mechanisms, especially if it is maintained over time [8,9]
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