Doctors have urged the public to use genetic screening after a rare genetic disorder was revealed as the cause of deafness and hearing impediments in four members of a family.
Doctors made the discovery while diagnosing a man known as Hsiao-hua (小華), who sought medical attention after experiencing severe hearing loss, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital clinical pathologist Lu Jang-jih (盧章智) said on Saturday last week.
After Hsiao-hua told doctors that his two brothers also have impaired hearing and that his mother has been deaf since she was 36, doctors obtained the family’s permission to conduct DNA tests, Lu said.
The tests found that Hsiao-hua’s mother has a mutation affecting the gene ACTG1, a dominant trait which she passed down to her sons, Lu said, adding that Hsiao-hua’s eight-year-old daughter tested positive for the mutated gene.
In the auditory system of people with the disorder, sound-detecting cells are abnormally vulnerable to noise and age-related damage, leading to progressive hearing loss and nonsyndromic deafness, he said.
Following the doctors’ suggestion, Hsiao-hua received Cochlear implants and is reportedly happy with the results, he said.
While Hsiao-hua’s daughter has not exhibited any symptoms, the family was advised to limit the child’s exposure to loud noises and to consider Cochlear implants should her hearing become impaired, he added.
Genetic screening has the potential to yield useful medical information for prospective parents, but it depends on sophisticated equipment and skilled technicians to achieve accurate results, the hospital said.
As errors could have profound effects for a family, people seeking the service should consult with their doctors and be careful in selecting a lab, it said.
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
RSS