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Delayed post-neonatal intensive care unit hearing disturbance
N Kawashiro1, N Tsuchihashi, K Koga
1ENT Department of National Children's Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) survivors with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) face a high risk of hearing loss. Early follow-up is crucial for these vulnerable infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neonatology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Infants discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can develop hearing disturbances.
- Severe cardiovascular and/or pulmonary disorders, particularly persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN), are significant risk factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and potential causes of hearing loss in infants with a history of PPHN and NICU admission.
- To highlight the risk of hearing impairment in this high-risk population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of ten infants with hearing disturbance post-NICU discharge.
- Evaluation included auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing and assessment of underlying conditions like PPHN.
- Analysis of treatments received, including mechanical ventilation, high-frequency oxygenation (HFO), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), aminoglycosides, furosemide, and muscle relaxants.
Main Results:
- 32% of PPHN patients treated at the facility developed hearing disturbance.
- Infants in the study required prolonged mechanical ventilation (average 30 days), with 75% of surviving ECMO-treated infants experiencing hearing loss.
- All ten infants received aminoglycosides, furosemide, and muscle relaxants.
Conclusions:
- Infants with PPHN and severe respiratory/cardiovascular issues requiring intensive NICU care are at substantial risk for hearing loss.
- Routine audiological follow-up at 6 and 12 months is recommended for these high-risk infants.