[The hearing function in the one-year old children with intrauterine growth retardation evaluated by two objective
Insights
Premature infants with severe intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) born before 34 weeks are at high risk for hearing loss. Objective audiological assessments using DPOAE and ASSR are crucial for monitoring these infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal audiology
- Pediatric hearing science
Context:
- Premature birth and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) are significant risk factors for neonatal hearing impairment.
- Early identification of hearing deficits in at-risk infants is critical for timely intervention.
Purpose:
- To objectively assess hearing function in prematurely born infants with IUGR.
- To identify specific audiological markers associated with hearing disorders in this vulnerable population.
Summary:
- This study evaluated 77 infants at 12 months old using distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) and auditory steady-state responses (ASSR).
- Hearing impairments were detected in infants with Grade II and III IUGR born before 34 weeks gestation.
- Objective audiological methods are effective in diagnosing hearing disorders in high-risk neonates.
Impact:
- Highlights the increased risk of hearing impairment in infants with severe IUGR born preterm.
- Recommends dynamic audiological surveillance using DPOAE and ASSR for early detection and management.
- Emphasizes the importance of objective hearing assessments in neonatal intensive care follow-up programs.
Abstract:
The objective of the present study was to collect objective information about the hearing function in the prematurely born infants suffering intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). The audiological examination of 77 patients at the age of 12 months was performed using two different methods making use of distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) and evoked auditory steady state responses (ASSRs). Hearing disorders were diagnosed in the children presenting with grade II and III IUGR born prior to the 34th week of pregnancy. The results of the study indicate that the children with grade II and III intrauterine growth retardation born earlier than the 34th week of pregnancy are at risk of developing hearing impairment and should be under dynamic audiological observation with the use of two objective methods, namely DPOAE and ASSR.
