Hearing Assessment in HIV-Exposed-Uninfected Infants

Among the complications caused directly or indirectly by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) are alterations in the auditory system. Children who are HIV-exposed but uninfected (HEU) appear to have a higher risk of hearing loss (HL) compared to their unexposed peers, but a lower risk than those infected with HIV. However, the literature remains inconclusive regarding this association. This study aims to evaluate the hearing function of HEU infants during the first months of life and to correlate these findings with maternal, gestational, and neonatal variables.

This prospective cohort study included all HIV-exposed infants born in a quaternary hospital in southern Brazil between 2021 and 2023. Maternal, gestational, and neonatal data were collected, as well as the results of neonatal auditory screening. At approximately 6 months of age, otolaryngological and audiological assessments were performed, including wideband tympanometry and electrophysiological evaluation using Auditory Brainstem Response with frequency-specific stimuli. The prevalence of hearing loss refers to the number of infants affected.

Thirty-eight infants, with a mean age of 8 months (±3.3), completed the study. Of these, 1 (2.6%) presented with bilateral sensorineural HL, and 13 (34.2%) presented with conductive HL, with 6 cases being unilateral and 7 bilateral. No associations were found between hearing loss and maternal, gestational, or neonatal variables, except for maternal CD4 count, where higher CD4 cell counts were associated with an increased risk of conductive HL.

The findings provide relevant data on auditory alterations in HEU infants, demonstrating a high prevalence of conductive HL. These results highlight the importance of monitoring the hearing of these children during the first years of life.