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Sensorineural hearing loss in very low birth weight infants with histological chorioamnionitis
Stefania Vedovato1, Angela Lo Iacono, Carla Morando
1Department of Pediatrics, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, San Bortolo Hospital, Vicenza , Italy .
Insights
Histological chorioamnionitis (HCAM) did not significantly increase sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) risk in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Surgical ligation of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) was identified as a key predictor of SNHL.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatric Audiology
- Perinatal Research
Background:
- Histological chorioamnionitis (HCAM) is linked to adverse outcomes in preterm infants, including potential speech and hearing impairments.
- Previous observations suggest HCAM may increase the risk of hearing loss in neonates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between histological chorioamnionitis (HCAM) and sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.
- To identify risk factors contributing to SNHL in this vulnerable population.
Main Methods:
- An observational study matched VLBW infants with and without HCAM.
- Hearing was screened using automated otoacoustic emissions and auditory brainstem responses, with follow-up at 3 and 6 months.
- Incidence of SNHL at 6 months was compared, and risk factors were analyzed.
Main Results:
- The incidence of SNHL at 6 months was 2.6% in infants with HCAM and 8.2% in those without (p=0.16).
- Surgical ligation of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) emerged as an independent predictor of SNHL (OR: 5.75, p=0.02).
- The association between HCAM and SNHL approached but did not reach statistical significance.
Conclusions:
- Surgical PDA ligation is a significant risk factor for SNHL in VLBW infants.
- HCAM was not found to be an independent predictor of SNHL in this cohort, though the trend was notable.
Objective:
Histological chorioamnionitis (HCAM) has been associated with inflammatory diseases of preterm infants. Recently we have observed that it increased the risk of speech delay and hearing loss. So the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) of VLBW infants and HCAM.
Methods:
We performed an observational study on VLBW infants admitted to the NICU of Padua. Each patient with HCAM was matched with one control without HCAM. All infants underwent hearing screening before discharge by means of automated transient-evoked otoacustic emissions and automated auditory brainstem responses, which were repeated at 3 and 6 months of age with tympanometry measurement. Incidence of SNHL at 6 months of age was compared in the 2 groups and risk factors for hearing loss were studied.
Results:
Two of 77 (2.6%) newborns with HCAM e 6/73 (8.2%) without it presented SNHL at 6 months of corrected age (p = 0.16). Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified surgical ligation of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) as independent predictors of SNHL (OR: 5.75, 95% CI 1.34-24.84, p = 0.02), whereas the effect of HCAM on SNHL was only near to statistical significance level.
Conclusions:
Surgical ligation of PDA is associated with an increased risk of SNHL in VLBW infants, regardless of HCAM.
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