Universal newborn hearing screening in Guantanamo province, 2020-2021

Abstract

Introduction: universal neonatal hearing screening is a test that enables to identify or suspect hearing loss, performed via habilitation or rehabilitation plan. Objective: determine the coverage of universal hearing screening in the epidemiological context of COVID-19 in Guantánamo province, during the period of march 2020 to march 2021. Method: a descriptive, retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out. A total of 5 999 newborns (as Universe) were involved in the study. Variables used were as follow: sex, newborns with or without risk factors, and otoacoustic emissions, which outcomes allowed for the evaluation of universal hearing screening coverage. The standard indicator (95%) and the time at which the first otoacoustic emissions were made were defined. The percentage of newborns detected before one month of life was established as indicator. Results: the 51.1% of the 5 999 newborns were male and 48.3% were female. The 100% of newborns (5 838) without risk factors underwent to the first examination, meanwhile, among those with risk factors (151 newborns) 0.2% (10) could not be tested. Screening of newborns without factors occurred between 1 and 3 days after birth. Screening was never performed after 30 days of birth in those who presented risk factors. Coverage was 99.8% and the reference rate was 0.2%. Conclusions: Universal Hearing Screening Program application in the context of COVID-19 pandemic in Guantanamo province shows a fulfillment in the coverage indicator.

Keywords

• pesquisaje auditivo universal
• emisiones otoacústicas
• cobertura
• hipoacusia
• recién nacidos