Connexin 26 Gene Mutations in Congenitally Deaf Children

Abstract
SENSORINEURAL DEAFNESS present at birth affects 1 child in 1000 in developed countries.1 Until a few years ago, genetic forms were thought to account for 30% to 45% of cases of congenital deafness, about two thirds of these cases being isolated, ie, nonsyndromic, genetic forms.2-4 The remaining cases were attributed to environmental causes (27%-35%) or considered sporadic cases of deafness for which no cause had been identified (25%-35%).2-4