Prevalence and Risk Factors of Congenital Hearing Loss in Turkey: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Public Health
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Congenital hearing loss significantly impacts a child's social, emotional, and intellectual development.
• Early identification and intervention are crucial for mitigating long-term effects.
• Understanding prevalence and risk factors is essential for effective health service planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and determine the prevalence of congenital hearing loss in newborns in Turkey.
• To identify the most common risk factors associated with congenital hearing loss in the Turkish newborn population.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review was conducted between November 2020 and February 2021.
• Searched major electronic databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, EBSCOhost, Springer) using keywords: "newborn hearing screening" and "congenital hearing loss."
• Analyzed 13 studies (1 prospective, 12 retrospective) from Turkey.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of congenital hearing loss was 0.5% in the general newborn population and 1.1% in newborns with identified risk factors.
• Common risk factors identified include: intensive care/mechanical ventilation >5 days, ototoxic drug use, hyperbilirubinemia requiring transfusion/phototherapy, prematurity, consanguineous marriage, and family history of hearing loss.
• Average timelines: screening within 1 month, diagnosis within 2 months, and intervention between 3-14 months of age.

Conclusions:

• The prevalence rates highlight the importance of robust newborn hearing screening programs in Turkey.
• Identifying and addressing key risk factors can improve early detection and intervention outcomes.
• Timely screening, diagnosis, and intervention are critical for children with congenital hearing loss.