Correlation of homocysteine and Vitamin B12 level as a surrogative marker for early detection of sensorineural hearing loss in children

Background: Hearing impairment is the frequent sensory deficit which affects newborns, children, adults, and the elderly. Objective: This study was conducted to find out the correlation of homocysteine (Hcy) and Vitamin B12 level in children aged 2–12 years having sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Materials and Methods: Seventy subjects were taken in this cross-sectional study after taking approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee of KGMU, UP. (No.2096/ Ethics/R. Cell-17Dated-20/11/2017). Half (n = 35) had moderate-to-severe hearing loss, while remaining 35 had severe to profound hearing loss. The biochemical assessment of serum Hcy and Vitamin B12 level was done by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay method. The statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 21.0 statistical Analysis Software. The values were represented in Number(%) and Mean±SD. Results: The mean Vitamin B12 level was significantly higher in children with moderate-to-severe hearing loss (241.06±75.25 pg/ml) as compared to those having severe to profound hearing loss (203.03±80.53 pg/ml) (P = 0.045). However, mean Hcy level was significantly higher in severe to profound hearing loss group (13.49±4.60 μmol/ml) in comparison to moderate-to-severe hearing loss group (11.14±4.57 μmol/ml) (P = 0.035). On evaluating the correlation between Vitamin B12 level and Hcy level, a strong inverse significant correlation was observed for overall cases (r=−0.691; P < 0.001) and strongly significant for moderate-to-severe hearing loss group (r=−0.779; P < 0.001). The correlation was moderate significant for severe to profound hearing loss group (r=−0.572; P < 0.001). Conclusion: This study concluded that increase Hcy level is inversely associated with decrease Vitamin B12 level in SNHL. This increase Hcy level may be used as a predictor for early detection of SNHL in children so that early therapeutic interventions can be started to improve the hearing in children.