What is the most common cause of hearing loss in newborns?

What is the most common cause of hearing loss in newborns?

• A. Genetic inheritance
• B. Congenital infections
• C. Birth trauma
• D. Meningitis

Answer: (A)

Genetic inheritance is the most common cause of hearing loss identified at birth. Most congenital sensorineural deafness is nonsyndromic and due to autosomal recessive mutations, with genes like GJB2 (connexin 26) frequently involved. While congenital infections such as CMV and perinatal events can cause hearing loss, they are less common overall than genetic etiologies in newborns. So when a newborn has hearing loss, genetic factors are the leading explanation, and targeted genetic testing is an important part of the evaluation.

Genetic inheritance is the most common cause of hearing loss identified at birth. Most congenital sensorineural deafness is nonsyndromic and due to autosomal recessive mutations, with genes like GJB2 (connexin 26) frequently involved. While congenital infections such as CMV and perinatal events can cause hearing loss, they are less common overall than genetic etiologies in newborns. So when a newborn has hearing loss, genetic factors are the leading explanation, and targeted genetic testing is an important part of the evaluation.