Cochlear implantation, the golden standard of therapy in congenital deafness, by delivering stimulation to auditory cortex neurons allows for development of verbal communication. However, results of the treatment vary greatly between individuals and besides very good performers, who acquire language with almost age-appropriate milestones, there are implanted children, who never reach proficiency in speech and language.
The objective of the study was to verify the prognostic value of plasma level of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), measured at cochlear implantation, to the outcome of speech and language rehabilitation after 18 months of CI use in long term follow-up.
To the prospective, longitudinal cohort study we have enrolled 61 children with congenital deafness, otherwise healthy. The cohort was observed over up to 5 years follow-up, MMP-9 and Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) plasma level measurements were performed at cochlear implantation. Children were assessed for auditory development by using the LittlEARS Questionnaire (LEAQ) and Auditory Adaptive Speech test (AAST) in quiet and noise each year after CI activation starting from 3 years after CI.
We did not found significant correlation between MMP-9 plasma level measure at cochlear implantation and AAST score at 3 and 5 years after CI activation.
The study shows, that MMP-9 plays w role in neuroplasticity after cochlear implantation in congenitally deaf children. In shorter perspective one can see its predictive value for  speech and language rehabilitation outcome.

Role of MMP- 9 in neuroplasticity in long term observation of congenitally deaf children treated by cochlear implantation.

It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm, that on behalf of the Cochlear Implant centers of the Radboud UMC in Nijmegen and Erasmus MC Sophia Children’s Hospital in Rotterdam to invite you to attend the 16th European Symposium on Pediatric Cochlear Implantation to Rotterdam, the Netherlands in 2023.

Yours sincerely, on behalf of the CI Centers at Radboud UMC and Erasmus MC,