Common causes of deaf-blindness include birth trauma, optic nerve atrophy, cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, or diabetic retinopathy. Some people may be born with both hearing and visual impairments through birth trauma or rare causes such as CHARGE Syndrome or cortical visual impairment. Helen Keller, for example, became blind-deaf when she caught an illness called "brain fever" when she was only 19 months old. Laura Bridgman, another example, caught an illness called scarlet fever when she was only 24 months old. Not only did Bridgman lose her sight and hearing, but also lost her sense of smell and nearly all of her sense of taste. More causes are in the list below. Major Causes of Deaf-Blindness Down Syndrome Patau syndrome (Trisomy 13) Usher Syndrome Multiple Congenital Anomalies CHARGE Association Fetal alcohol syndrome Hydrocephaly Maternal drug abuse Microcephaly Prematurity Congenital Prenatal Dysfunction AIDS Herpes Rubella Syphilis Toxoplasmosis Post-natal Causes Asphyxia Encephalitis Head injury/trauma Meningitis Stroke