Causes of Deafblindness

For more information from the National Center on Deaf-Blindness, visit their website. High-Risk Medical History, including the presence of any of the following conditions:

Hereditary Syndromes and Disorders

  • CHARGE Syndrome/Association
  • Down Syndrome
  • Trisomy 13
  • Usher Syndrome
  • Alstrom Syndrome
  • Goldenhar, Hurler, Norrie, Waardenburg Syndrome
  • Cornelia de Lange
  • Stickler Syndrome
  • Zellweger Syndrome
  • Other genetic syndromes or defects

Prenatal – History of maternal infection/exposure to the following conditions during pregnancy

  • Rubella
  • CMV (Cytomegalovirus)
  • Toxoplasmosis
  • Herpes; Syphilis
  • Prenatal infant exposure to drugs or alcohol
  • Cleft lip or palate

Birth History Factors

  • Birth weight < than 1500 grams (3.3lbs)
  • Prematurity; preterm birth, exposure to oxygen
  • On ventilator longer than 5 days
  • Elevated bilirubin requiring transfusion
  • Low Apgar scores (1-4 at 1 minute or 0-6 at 5 minutes)

Post-Natal – History of the following conditions

  • Meningitis or encephalitis
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Cerebral palsy or other neurological disorders
  • Brain disorders, brain tumors or malformations of the brain such as DandyWalker
  • Microcephaly
  • Loss of oxygen to the brain
  • Severe head trauma
  • Prolonged fever
  • Child received “mycin”, lasix, chemotherapy or other known ototoxic medications

Medical conditions associated with hearing or vision loss

  • Anoxia, asphyxia, hypoxia
  • Atresia
  • Cerebral hemorrhage
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Ischemia
  • Meningitis
  • Periventricular damage
  • Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
  • Unknown Medical History