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Intensive care unit: results of the Newborn Hearing Screening
Inaê Costa Rechia1, Kátia Pase Liberalesso2, Otília Valéria Melchiors Angst2
1Human Communication Disorders, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
Insights
Newborn hearing screening identified high rates of prematurity and low birth weight in at-risk infants. Auditory monitoring is crucial for early detection of potential hearing loss in this population.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Audiology
- Public health
Background:
- Newborn life support procedures are linked to hearing loss risks.
- Identifying and understanding these risk factors is essential for prevention and early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the population undergoing newborn hearing screening.
- To analyze the frequency of hearing loss risk factors.
- To assess the audiological status of infants in a Newborn Hearing Screening program.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 140 neonatal intensive care unit patient records.
- Identification of hearing loss risk factors and audiological status.
- Utilized transient otoacoustic emissions and brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) testing.
Main Results:
- Prematurity (78.87%) and low birth weight (45%) were prevalent.
- 73% received ototoxic medication.
- 11.42% failed initial screening, 5% failed retest, with one case showing hearing loss via BAEP.
Conclusions:
- High rates of prematurity and low birth weight were observed in infants with audiological diagnoses.
- Only one newborn exhibited an audiological status change.
- Auditory monitoring is vital for all infants, especially this high-risk group.
Introduction:
Procedures for extending the life of newborns are closely related to potential causes of hearing loss, justifying the identification and understanding of risk factors for this deficiency.
Objective:
To characterize the population, analyze the frequency of risk factors for hearing loss, and assess the audiological status of infants attended in a Newborn Hearing Screening program (NHS).
Methods:
This was a retrospective study that analyzed medical records of 140 patients from a neonatal intensive care unit, identifying the frequency of risk factors for hearing loss and audiological status, utilizing transient otoacoustic emissions and brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP).
Results:
Prematurity was present in 78.87% of cases; 45% of the infants were underweight and 73% received ototoxic medication. Audiologically, 11.42% failed the NHS, and 5% of cases failed retest; of these, one had results compatible with hearing loss on BAEP.
Conclusion:
A higher rate of low birth weight, and prematurity was observed in infants who underwent screening and had an audiological diagnosis by the third month of life. Only one newborn presented a change in audiological status. The authors emphasize the importance of auditory monitoring for all infants, considering this as a high-risk sample for hearing loss.
