Related Experiment Videos
Hearing impairment in ventilator-dependent infants and children
1Department of Otolaryngology and Human Communication, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA 19104.
International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
|December 1, 1990
Summary
Ventilator-dependent infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia face a high risk of hearing loss. Over half experienced significant auditory impairment, exceeding levels seen in other high-risk premature infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Audiology
- Pediatric Pulmonology
Background:
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease in premature infants.
- BPD often necessitates prolonged mechanical ventilation.
- Hearing impairment is a known risk for premature infants, but data for BPD-specific cohorts is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and severity of hearing impairment in ventilator-dependent infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
- To compare hearing outcomes in this cohort to other high-risk premature infants.
Main Methods:
- Auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing was performed on a cohort of 12 ventilator-dependent patients with BPD.
- Hearing thresholds were assessed in decibels of hearing level (dB nHL).
Main Results:
- Half of the patients had ABR thresholds of 40 dB nHL or worse in the better ear.
- 10 out of 23 ears tested had thresholds of 50 dB nHL or worse.
- The incidence and degree of hearing impairment were significantly higher than in other high-risk premature populations.
Conclusions:
- Ventilator-dependent infants with BPD exhibit a high prevalence of hearing impairment.
- The observed hearing loss is often more severe than typically associated with conductive issues like middle ear effusion.
- Early audiological screening and intervention are crucial for this vulnerable population.