Cyclosporine causes no hearing defect in paediatric patients with nephrotic syndrome

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the ototoxicity of cyclosporine A (CsA) in children with nephrotic syndrome (NS).

Design: Data of paediatric patients with NS followed in paediatric nephrology department were evaluated retrospectively, and hearing functions were evaluated by pure tone audiometry (PTA) and transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs). Age, gender, type of NS, duration and cumulative doses of immunosuppressives were noted.

Study sample: The patients who had received CsA (n: 16) and immunosuppressives other than CsA (n: 13) for at least 6 months formed two patient groups and healthy cases formed a control group (n: 20). Children with known previous hearing defect, inner ear trauma or surgery, recurrent otitis media and those using hearing aid were excluded.

Results: Gender, age at first clinical presentation, laboratory tests and number of relapses were similar between the groups. No hearing loss was defined in PTA at frequencies of 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000 and 8000 Hz. The results of TEOAEs were similar between the groups and compatible with normal hearing.

Conclusions: CsA is not responsible for permanent sensorineural hearing loss in children with NS, and there is no sufficient evidence to consider routine hearing assessment in children with NS treated with CsA.

Keywords: Hearing loss; children; cyclosporine; immunosuppressives; nephrotic syndrome.