Chloroquine ototoxicity--a reversible phenomenon?

The case of a six-year-old girl suffering from severe cochleo-vestibular dysfunction following a series of chloroquine phosphate injections is presented in this paper. Prompt institution of therapy with steroids and vaso-dilators has helped to restore the hearing to a serviceable (socially acceptable) level. A surmise is made about the pathogenesis of chloroquine ototoxicity and how prompt appropriate therapy may be able to reverse the process. A plea is made for early referral of these cases so that prompt attention may be paid to them.