Bloodspot-based genetic testing for common GJB2 alleles as second tier test for newborn hearing screening (NHS) may reduce the number of children with hearing loss who don't receive follow-up services, say University of Minnesota researchers. Genetic causes contribute to over one half of all cases of hearing loss in infants and autosomal recessive mutations in the GJB2 gene are one of the most common culprits in North America. Meanwhile, about 43% of infants referred by newborn screening for hearing loss are lost to follow up and possibly, early habilitation that could improve language skills, note researchers (Schimmenti et al., 2011).
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