Risk factors of hearing defects and their relation to the outcome of hearing screen among neonates

• Main Authors: Numan Nafie Hameed, Professor, Mokhalad Ghazi Malih, Dr
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Faculty of Medicine University of Baghdad 2019-07-01
• Series: مجلة كلية الطب
• Subjects: Hearing defect, Hearing Screen, Neonates, prevalence, Risk Factors
• Online Access: http://iqjmc.uobaghdad.edu.iq/index.php/19JFacMedBaghdad36/article/view/897
• ISSN: 0041-9419; 2410-8057

Background: Increased exposure to risk factors of hearing loss leads to a high susceptibility of deafness among admitted neonates in developing countries. This article aimed to study the prevalence of risk factors for neonatal hearing defect and determine their effect on the result of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions hearing test (TEOAE). Methods: A cross sectional study carried out for a period of one year. Demographic characteristics and certain risk factors were recorded for screened neonates. TEOAE test was done and if they failed to pass two steps, they were referred to automated auditory brainstem-response (AABR). Results: Out of 400 neonates, 342 (85.5%) passed from step 1 TEOAE, while 58 (14.5%) were referred to step 2 including 26 (44.8%) referred to step 2 have passed and 32 (55.2%) referred to AABR. From those 32 neonates with suspected hearing defect, NICU stay >7 days, ototoxic drugs >7 days, use of ventilator >7 days, birth weight <1500gm, and craniofacial malformations were the main risk factors occurring in (90.6%), (90.6%), (59.4%), (40.6%), and (21.9%) of them respectively. Conclusions: The low birth weight, long intensive care stay, mechanical ventilation, drugs ototoxicity and craniofacial malformation of neonates are the main risk factors for failed TEOAE test.