Some risk factors for neonatal sensorineural hearing loss in a neonatal intensive care unit

Abstract

Background The sensorineural hearing loss incidence (SNHL) ranges from 1 to 3 per 1000 live births in term healthy neonates, and 2–4 per 100 in high-risk infants, a 10-fold increase. Objective The aim was to estimate the incidence of SNHL among newborns in NICU at Ahmed Maher Teaching Hospital, Cairo, Egypt, and to describe the distribution of risk factors associated with SNHL and the effects of their interaction. Patients and methods The study was carried out on 710 neonates in a hospital in Cairo, Egypt. A total of 710 (401 males and 309 females) neonates were included in the study and had a birth weight ranging from 680 to 5500 g, and the mean gestational age was 35.8 ± 3 weeks. All the cases were screened for hearing loss using the transient evoked otoacoustic emission device, followed by a second-stage screening for those who failed, and cases were given a Refer then underwent an automated auditory brainstem response test. Results In the studied cases, 76.7% had hyperbilirubinemia, 8.73% were of low birth weight (<1500 g), and 15.5% were on mechanical ventilation. In the first screening phase, 80% were given a Pass response, and 20% were given a Refer response for the right ear. In the second screening phase, 91% were given a Pass, and 9% were given a Refer. Conclusion A comprehensive intervention and management program must be an integral part of screening programs in the postnatal period. Awareness about the value of hearing screening is important. Further assessment of the high prevalence of hyperbilirubinemia is needed.

Keywords

• hearing loss
• high-risk
• hyperbilirubinemia
• low birth weight
• mechanical ventilation
• neonatal hearing screening