High-Risk Newborn Hearing Screening in Samutsakhon Hospital

Abstract

Objectives : To determine the prevalence and risk factors of neonatal hearing loss in the high-risk group.

Material and method : A descriptive study, using the criteria of "high-risk" as defined by the Joint Committee of Infant Hearing 1994, American Academy of Pediatrics, 168 neonates in Samutsakorn Hospital were screened with portable otoacoustic emissions (OAE) before being discharged between July 1^st , 2006 and December 31^st , 2008. Based on the examinations, the results were divided into two groups, “pass" and "refer". Infants who failed 2 consecutive OAE tests were reoonfirmed by ABR and/or ASSR.

Results : One hundred and three infants (61.3%) in the high-risk group passed the primary screening for,both  ears. Six infants (3.6%) were confirmed with sensorineural hearing loss. Twenty nine infants (17.3%) were lost to follow up. High-risk factors in the infants with sensorineural hearing loss were Down syndrome (1), Craniosynostosis (1) , maternal HIV infection (1), hyperbilirubinemia at a level requiring an exchange transfusion (1), Apgar scores of 0-4 at 1 minute or 0-6-at 5 minutes (3), birthweight fewer than 1,500 grams (4), mechanical ventil-ation lasting 5 days or more (4) and ototoxic medications (5).

Conclusion : Newborn hearing screening by using otoaooustic emission was useful and could identify the infants with sensorineural hearing loss urgently.