Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40851451›Full record

SynthesisBasic & clinical pharmacology & toxicology2025

Maternal Exposure to Medications and the Risk of Congenital and Early-Onset Hearing Loss in Children: A Systematic Review and a Meta-Analysis.

Asli Sena Kücükyildiz, Mette Østergaard Thunbo, Christer Zøylner Swan, David P Burgner, Jessica E Miller, Therese Ovesen, Lars Henning Pedersen

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Basic & clinical pharmacology & toxicology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Asli Sena KücükyildizDepartment of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7748-5542
Mette Østergaard ThunboDepartment of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
Christer Zøylner SwanDepartment of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
David P BurgnerMurdoch Children's Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
Jessica E MillerDepartment of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
Therese OvesenDepartment of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
Lars Henning PedersenDepartment of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.

Funding

Borregaard Clinical Ascending Investigator GrantChristian og Ottilia Brorsons RejselegaterFrimodt-Heinecke FondenGangstedfondenGerda Mørup-Petersen's ScholarshipGlashofs LegatGN Store Nord Fondet 233GN Store Nord FoundationGuildal FondetGuildal Fondet, Kurt Sørensens Fond, Frimodt-Heinecke Fonden, Glashofs Legat, Lizzi & Mogens Staal FondenHannibal Sanders FondKurt Sørensens FondLæge Sofus Carl Emil Friis & Hustru Friis' Legat, Carl & Ellen Hertz's Legat and Fonden til Lægevidenskabens FremmeLizzi & Mogens Staal FondenNational Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC, Australia) 1175744Novo Nordisk Foundation NNF18OC0054457State Government of Victoria's Operational Infrastructure Support Program and Murdoch Children's Research Institute Population Health Theme Funding 2023The Department of Clinical MedicineThe Nordic Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology FundThe Nordic Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology Fund
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCongenital hearing loss (CHL) affects approximately 1-2 in 1000 children and significantly impacts development. Exposure to medications during pregnancy may impact offspring hearing; however, the ototoxic effects of different drugs have not been systematically investigated.

methodsThis systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted following PRISMA guidelines and analysed 21 experimental and observational studies examining 60 drugs across various categories.

findingsMagnesium sulphate and systemic steroids, alone or in combination, showed potential protective effects towards CHL. Specific antibiotics (e.g., gentamicin and metronidazole) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were associated with an increased risk of CHL. Modest evidence indicated that low-dose acetylsalicylic acid increased risk, whereas higher doses did not. Other drugs, such as anti-neoplastic agents and valproic acid, showed weaker associations with CHL. Most studies had methodological limitations.

conclusionOur findings highlight the urgent need for robust research to minimise preventable hearing loss in children.

Indexed as

Hearing LossMaternal ExposurePrenatal Exposure Delayed EffectsAnti-Bacterial AgentsAnti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-SteroidalChildFemaleHumansPregnancyRisk FactorsAnti-Bacterial AgentsAnti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidalcongenital hearing lossintrauterine drug exposurepregnancyreproductive toxicologysystematic review

Identifiers

PMID40851451
PMCPMC12375940

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.