Abstract

CASTRO PEREZ, Fidel et al. Color of the iris and hypoacusis in Waardenburg Syndrome. Pinar del Rio, Cuba. Rev Ciencias Médicas [online]. 2012, vol.16, n.3, pp. 172-180. ISSN 1561-3194.

Background: Although sensorineural hearing loss and iris pigmentary changes have been described, the association between these two elements has not been previously studied. Objectives: to describe and analyze the possible association of hypoacusis and the intensity of this with the color of the iris in a family suffering from this syndrome; which will constitute a new contribution to the understanding of Waardenburg Syndrome (WS). Material and Method: an observational, cross-sectional and descriptive case-study was carried out having some analytic aspects in people suffering from WS in Sandino municipality, Pinar del Rio. Measures of review to conduct qualitative variables and chi square test X2 to measure the association of 95% of confidence. Results: about 15 individuals presented sensorineural hearing loss of different distribution and intensity, prevailing brown and blue bilateral eyes. A greater frequency of individuals with hypoacusis and blue eyes was found in association between the two variables (X2= 6,47, gl = 1; p = 0.01). Hypoacusis was greater in blue-eyed individuals (85.7% with severe or profound hypoacusis), three times superior than in the other color of eyes. Conclusions: an association between the blue color of the iris and the presence of hypoacusis along with a greater intensity of hearing loss in individuals suffering from WS was observed.

Keywords : Waardenburg's syndrome [genetics].

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