The author analyzes factors which may play a part in the aetiology of severe congenital bilateral perception deafness--practically complete deafness--in children. The group of patients comprises 177 deaf children, 135 siblings with normal hearing and 70 deaf parents and other relatives. Pathological factors during pregnancy were detected in 20, perinatal and neonatal pathology in 32 instances. If the anamnestically detected risk factors in the aetiology of the hearing deficit played a part, theoretically by their elimination a considerable proportion of the congenital hearing affections in children could be prevented. The author emphasizes the necessity of collaboration with a geneticist in the prevention of inborn hereditary deafness.

Dĕtská otorinolaryngologická klinika FNDsP Brno