Gentamicin, genetic variation and deafness in preterm children

ISRCTN ISRCTN39982239
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN39982239
Secondary identifying numbers ISRCTNRNIDG47
Submission date
19/12/2013
Registration date
18/02/2014
Last edited
28/05/2019
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Ear, Nose and Throat
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English Summary

Background and study aims
Acquired hearing loss is a hearing loss that appears after birth. It occurs ten times more often in infants born before 32 weeks of gestation (very preterm). There are several possible causes, including the side effects of some regularly used medications on neonatal units, such as aminoglycosides. These are known to have effects on the hearing system but, despite being at high risk of receiving aminoglycosides, there is little evidence for drug-induced damage to the inner ear in preterm children. The risk of hearing loss may be increased further in babies with the DNA mutation m.1555A>G. Patients with this mutation who receive aminoglycosides suffer from hearing loss even when drug levels are maintained within normal limits; this effect may be reduced in the newborn period, but this has not been formally studied. The aim of this study is to look at the relationship between the m.1555A>G mutation, aminoglycosides and deafness in children born very prematurely.

Who can participate?
Deaf children and children with normal hearing who were born at 31 weeks and 6 days of gestation or less

What does the study involve?
Saliva samples are taken from children in both groups for genetic analysis of m.1555A>G. Clinical data including information on aminoglycoside exposure is taken from medical notes.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The main benefit to participants with deafness is the opportunity to find the cause of their hearing loss. If the child has the mutation, it is likely that this is the cause. There is little benefit for participants who have normal hearing, but if they test positive for the mutation they are advised to avoid aminoglycoside antibiotics in the future to prevent the risk of hearing loss. There are no anticipated risks for participants, although children could be nervous about having a saliva sample taken.

Where is the study run from?
University College London (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
January 2013 to January 2016

Who is funding the study?
Action on Hearing Loss (UK)

Who is the main contact?
1. Prof. Maria Bitner-Glindzicz (maria.bitner@ucl.ac.uk)
2. Prof. Neil Marlow (n.marlow@ucl.ac.uk)

Study website

Contact information

Prof Maria Bitner-Glindzicz
Scientific

30 Guilford Street
London
WC1N 1EH
United Kingdom

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0003-4639-8336

Study information

Study designCase-control study
Primary study designObservational
Secondary study designCase-control study
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeScreening
Participant information sheet http://www.ucl.ac.uk/mitogent/documents
Scientific titleGentamicin, genetic variation and deafness in preterm children: a case-control study
Study acronymMitoGent
Study hypothesisThe hypothesis is that mutation (m.1555A>G) makes a significant contribution to deafness in babies born at 31 weeks and 6 days of gestation or less who receive treatment with aminoglycosides, even when drug levels were within the normal range.
Ethics approval(s)NRES Ethics Committee London -– Central, 02/02/2012, ref: 12/LO/0005
ConditionHearing loss in preterm infants
InterventionThis is an observational study which will only involve saliva samples and access to medical notes. Children with hearing loss will be invited to participate by their audiological paediatrician; ex-preterm children with normal hearing will be invited by their neonatologist. Saliva samples will be taken from children in both groups for genetic analysis of m.1555A>G. Clinical data including information on aminoglycoside exposure will be abstracted from medical notes.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measurePrevalence of the m.1555A>G mutation, measured using saliva samples tested for the mutation by direct DNA sequencing
Secondary outcome measuresGentamicin administration, measured using data from medical notes
Overall study start date27/01/2013
Overall study end date27/01/2016

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupNeonate
SexBoth
Target number of participants30 -– 60 deaf children and 5 controls per deaf baby/child. Total 150-300 children
Participant inclusion criteriaCases: babies born at 31 weeks and 6 days gestational age or less with hearing loss, treated on a neonatal unit within Greater London between 01/01/2009 -– 31/12/2013
Controls: babies born at 31 weeks and 6 days gestational age or less with normal hearing, treated on a neonatal unit within Greater London between 01/01/2009 –- 31/12/2013
Participant exclusion criteriaCases: no exclusion criteria
Controls: missing data in medication records
Recruitment start date27/01/2013
Recruitment end date27/01/2016

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

University College London - Institute of Child Health
London
WC1N 1EH
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

University College London - Institute of Child Health (UK)
University/education

30 Guilford Street
London
WC1N 1EH
England
United Kingdom

ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/02jx3x895

Funders

Funder type

Charity

Action on Hearing Loss (UK) (ref: RNID G47)
Private sector organisation / Other non-profit organizations
Location
United Kingdom

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryData sharing statement to be made available at a later date
Publication and dissemination planThe trialists intend to publish in 2017.
IPD sharing planThe current data sharing plans for the current study are unknown and will be made available at a later date.

Editorial Notes

28/05/2019: Internal review.