Pregnancy outcome in women with hearing disability: systematic review and meta-analysis

Hearing disabilities are a significant risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed to analyse the impact of hearing impairment on maternal and neonatal outcomes, and to evaluate the adequacy of prenatal care among women diagnosed with hearing disabilities.

A literature search of the PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Scopus databases for relevant studies published in English was performed. Two researchers independently performed screening and quality assessments. Adverse maternal outcomes (gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and caesarean delivery), adverse neonatal outcomes (preterm birth and low birth weight), and utilisation of prenatal care resources were primary outcomes of this review. A comparative effects meta-analysis and a narrative synthesis were performed.

Ten retrospective cohort studies comprising 97,251,223 participants, of whom 63,387 had a hearing disability, were included in this review. Meta-analysis revealed a significantly higher risk for gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, eclampsia, caesarean delivery, placental abruption, preterm birth, low birth weight, and adequate-plus utilisation of prenatal care resources. The results were similar in the sensitivity analyses based on different statistical models. There were no statistical differences in pooled estimates of the incidence of chorioamnionitis, although a significantly higher risk was observed when the model was modified.

Compared to women without disabilities, those with hearing disabilities exhibited a higher risk for adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes and excessive use of prenatal care services.