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Societal impact of bilirubin-induced hearing impairment in resource-limited nations
1Centre for Healthy Start Initiative, 286A Corporation Drive, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria.
Insights
Severe hyperbilirubinemia in infants can cause lifelong auditory impairments, significantly impacting families and communities in low-income nations. Early detection and intervention are crucial for affected infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Public health
- Developmental pediatrics
Background:
- Infants with bilirubin-induced neurologic dysfunction (BIND) often experience developmental disabilities, including auditory impairments.
- Auditory impairments encompass hearing loss and auditory neuropathy spectrum disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the societal impact of bilirubin-induced auditory impairments in infants within resource-limited countries.
- To highlight the challenges faced by affected infants, families, and communities.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing data on BIND and auditory impairments.
- Analysis of societal, emotional, and economic consequences in resource-limited settings.
Main Results:
- Auditory impairments result in significant emotional, social, and economic burdens.
- These burdens are amplified by poverty, negative community attitudes towards disabilities, and inadequate services.
Conclusions:
- Preventing severe hyperbilirubinemia through proactive infant management is essential.
- Early detection and intervention for auditory impairments are vital for improving infant developmental outcomes.
Abstract:
Infants with bilirubin-induced neurologic dysfunction (BIND) are characterized by several developmental disabilities including auditory impairments. This paper explores the societal impact of bilirubin-induced auditory impairments, inclusive of hearing impairments and auditory neuropathy spectrum disorders, on these infants, their families, and on the community in resource-limited countries (per capita income of US$6,000 or less). Auditory impairments have substantial emotional, social, and economic impact on the affected infants, their families and communities. The burden is exacerbated by widespread poverty, unfavorable community attitudes towards disabilities, and lack of requisite health, educational, and social services. Curtailing the incidence of avoidable severe hyperbilirubinemia through proactive and effective management of infants at risk or with severe hyperbilirubinemia is necessary at all levels of healthcare delivery. Early detection and intervention for unavoidable auditory impairments should be widely promoted to provide improved developmental trajectories for the affected infants.
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