Congenital rubella syndrome: function of equilibrium of 80 cases with deafness.

The equilibrium function of 80 deaf children with congenital rubella syndrome, aged 12, was examined by the caloric and righting reflex tests. Of these 80 children, 24 (30%) had vestibular hypofunction, 6 (7.5%) were suspect, and the remaining 50 (62.5%) were normal. Of all 160 ears tested, vestibular hypofunction was proven in 21.3%, suspect in 5.6%, and normal in the rest. There was no correlation between the incidence of vestibular hypofunction and the degree of hearing loss. Of the 30 children with vestibular hypofunction, 14 (47%) showed a normal righting reflex, suggesting the working of a compensatory mechanism. Of the 50 children with normal caloric responses, 26% revealed an abnormal righting reflex. This discrepancy might be accounted for by an otolith organ injury or minimal brain dysfunction.