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[Changes in auditory function during first 6 months in premature children with intrauterine growth retardation]
Insights
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) impacts hearing development in preterm infants. Auditory function in infants with IUGR may continue developing beyond six months, unlike their normal-weight peers.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal audiology
- Developmental pediatrics
- Perinatal medicine
Background:
- Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a significant concern in preterm infants.
- Hearing function development in preterm infants is complex and can be affected by various factors.
- Understanding the long-term impact of IUGR on auditory development is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) on the formation of hearing function in preterm infants.
- To compare auditory development between preterm infants with IUGR and those with normal weight for gestational age.
- To assess the maturation timeline of auditory function in preterm infants with IUGR.
Main Methods:
- Distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) testing was conducted on 136 preterm infants at three time points: expected date of birth, 3 months, and 6 months corrected age.
- Infants were categorized into two groups: those with IUGR and those with normal weight for gestational age (normotrophy).
- Audiological assessments were performed to evaluate the presence and quality of otoacoustic emissions as an indicator of cochlear function.
Main Results:
- At the expected date of birth, preterm infants with IUGR showed lower DPOAE detection rates compared to normotrophic infants.
- By 3 months corrected age, preterm infants born before 32 weeks gestation had significantly lower DPOAE results, irrespective of IUGR status.
- At 6 months corrected age, auditory function outcomes were similar between IUGR and normotrophic infants, although 17% of IUGR infants born before 32 weeks had absent auditory function compared to 12% of normotrophic infants.
Conclusions:
- The maturation of auditory function in preterm infants with IUGR may extend beyond six months corrected age.
- Delayed auditory maturation in IUGR infants suggests a need for continued audiological monitoring.
- Early identification and intervention for hearing impairments in preterm infants, especially those with IUGR, are essential.
Aim:
To define an influence of intrauterine growth restriction to forming of hearing function of preterm infants.
Patients And Methods:
The audiological test by the method of distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) was performed 3 times (during supposed dates of birth; 3 months old; 6 months old) in 136 premature children born while different gestation periods. Children were divided into 2 groups: premature children with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and premature children with normal weight for their gestation age (normotrophy).
Results:
During checkup in supposed date of birth of children with IUGR, DPOAE was detected less than children with normotrophy and with the same gestation period. Test results in all 3 months old premature children of gestation period less than 32 weeks were significantly lower in comparison with children of another date of gestation. Results in 6 months old children with IUGR and with normotrophy were almost identical. In 17% of children with IUGR born at term gestation less than 32 weeks of auditory function is not available. Children with normotrophy from the same subgroup lack of auditory function were noted in 12% of cases.
Conclusions:
Premature children with IUGR maturing of auditory function is likely not to end in 6 months and can continue after 6 months.
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