Platinum-induced ototoxicity in pediatric patients with solid tumors: Younger and male children are more susceptible

The purpose of this study was to explore prevalence and risk factors of platinum drug-induced ototoxicity, delineate the severity of ototoxicity, and quantify the cumulative dose of platinum-based drugs, in China. This retrospective study involved 108 pediatric solid tumor patients who underwent platinum-containing chemotherapy. We utilized logistics regression to identify risk factors. A threshold for the cumulative dose of platinum-drugs was determined by ROC (receiver operating characteristic curve). The hearing thresholds across sex and age groups were examined. Overall, 37.04 % of patients had ototoxicity as measured audiometrically. The prevalence of males (46.43 %, p = .036) was higher than that of females. The cumulative dose of cisplatin was the most significant risk factor for ototoxicity (p = .002, OR = 1.29, per 100 mg/mm²). The cut-off value for the cisplatin cumulative dose was 220 mg/m². Another risk factor is male (p = .037, OR = 2.54). The hearing thresholds at 8 kHz were higher in males (61.81 ± 15.05 dB HL; p = .042)than in females. The group of patients≤3 years old showed more pronounced ototoxicity at 6 kHz [66.00 ± 9.37 dB HL]and 8 kHz [70.00 (65.00,80.00)dB HL] than the older group (4–6 years)at 6 kHz and 8 kHz. Ototoxicity in pediatric patients with platinum-containing chemotherapy is ubiquitous in China, which is influenced by cumulative dose of drugs, sex and age. The threshold of cumulative dose deserves attention.