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Decline in the prevalence of childhood deafness in the Jewish population of Jerusalem: ethnic and genetic aspects

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

M. Feinmesser ,
L. Tell  and
H. Levi
M. Feinmesser*
Affiliation:
Jerusalem, Israel
L. Tell
Affiliation:
Jerusalem, Israel
H. Levi
Affiliation:
Jerusalem, Israel
*
Professor M. Feinmesser, Department of Otolaryngology, Hadassah University Hospital, Kiryat Hadassah, PO Box 12000, 91120 Jerusalem, Israel
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Abstract

A longitudinal study was performed on 147 Jewish children with bilaterally sensorineural hearing loss of moderately severe to profound degree, born in Jerusalem during the eighteen years 1968–85.

The prevalence rate of these children declined during the years 1977–85, and at the same time the rate of consanguinity of their parents decreased; this decline was more evident in the genetic group among children with non-Ashkenazi ethnic origin. No such decline was found among the Ashkenazi children and no consanguinity among parents of these children was recorded.

Our study supports the assumption that restriction of consanguineous matings may affect the prevalence of genetic deafness in children in a well-defined population. We have tried to remain unbiased and concede certain shortcomings in our present study.

Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 104 , Issue 9 , September 1990 , pp. 675 - 677
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1990

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References

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