Ear anomalies, deafness and facial nerve palsy in infants of diabetic mothers.

Two children with an unusual combination of ear anomalies, deafness and facial nerve palsy are described. They are both children of insulin dependent diabetic mothers. There is no other family history of genetic deafness or congenital anomaly. The defects in both children may be accounted for by abnormal embryological development of the petrous temporal bone. It is postulated that poor metabolic control of the diabetes has led to these malformations.