Infection in Pediatric Auditory Brainstem Implant: A Case Study and Scoping Review

Safety and efficacy of pediatric auditory brainstem implants (ABI) are well established. Commonly reported complications include cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak and pseudomeningocele. Infection is rare but potentially serious due to intracranial location of the device. Data on pediatric ABI infections remain limited. We report a case of pediatric ABI infection and perform a scoping review of the literature....

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Infection is a recognized but poorly characterized complication of pediatric ABI; this case study and scoping review is preliminary evidence — no change to current surgical protocols is supported yet, but clinicians should maintain high vigilance for post-operative infection signs in pediatric ABI recipients.

As pediatric ABI implantation expands to younger and more complex patients, characterizing the full complication profile — including infection — is essential for informed consent and post-operative management protocols.

1. 01Infection is an underreported complication of auditory brainstem implants (ABIs) in children.
2. 02A new pediatric ABI infection case is presented alongside a scoping review of prior literature.
3. 03Other established complications include CSF leak and pseudomeningitis (brain lining irritation without true infection).
4. 04The scoping review design limits causal conclusions but maps the existing evidence landscape.
5. 05Findings support the need for systematic infection surveillance in pediatric ABI programs.

PMID

42896075

DOI

10.1097/MAO.0000000000005100.

Journal

Otology & Neurotology

Publication type

case_report

Evidence level

4

Population

Pediatric patients who received auditory brainstem implants

Intervention

Auditory brainstem implantation in pediatric patients