The frequency of the homozygote 35delG mutation in the connexin 26 gene in North African with non-syndromic hearing loss: A meta-analysis study

Abstract

ObjectiveEstimate the frequency of the homozygote 35delG mutation in patients with non-syndromic hearing loss. DesignMeta-analysis of studies investigated the presence of the 35delG mutation in patients from the North of Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania). We used three databases for seeking studies that reported the frequency of the 35delG mutation between 2000 and 2020. We excluded studies if they disagree with the inclusion criteria. Study samplePatients from the North of Africa with non-syndromic hearing loss. ResultsWe included 12 studies with a total of 1052 patients with non-syndromic hearing loss. The 35delG mutation was found in 303 (28.80%). ConclusionThe research of 35delG mutation is very useful in the investigation of the genetic etiology of non-syndromic hearing loss. However, including other gene candidates will be better for the identification of the etiology of hearing loss in patients negative for the 35delG mutation.