Prevalence and independent risk factors for hearing loss in NICU infants

Elysée T.M. Hille, H. L.M. Van Straaten, Paul Verkerk, Irma Van Straaten, Paul Verkerk, Elysee Hille, W. Baerts, Carin Bunkers, Enna Smink, Ruurd Van Elburg, Martin De Kleine, Joke H. Kok, Adri Ilsen, Dianne Visser, Katerina Steiner, Linda S. De Vries, Nynke Weisglas-Kuperus, Arwen Sprij, Enrico Lopriori, Jan BrokxDanilo Gavilanes, Wil Geven, Arie Bos

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

69 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Aim: To determine the prevalence and independent relationship between hearing loss and risk factors in a representative neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) population. Methods: Automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) hearing screening has been introduced since 1998 in the Dutch NICUs. After a second AABR failure, diagnostic ABR was used to establish diagnosis of hearing loss. Newborns who died before the age of 3 months were excluded. In the present study only the NICU infants who were born with a gestational age <30 weeks and/or a birth weight <1000 g between October 1, 1998 and January 1, 2002 were included. Risk factors included in the study were familial hearing loss, in utero infections, craniofacial anomalies, birth weight <1500g, hyperbilirubinemia, ototoxic medications, cerebral complications, severe birth asphyxia, assisted ventilation ≥5 days and syndromes. Results: A nationwide cohort of 2186 newborns were included. Mean gestational age was 28.5 weeks (SD 1.6) and mean birth weight was 1039 g (SD 256). Prevalence of uni- or bilateral hearing loss was 3.2% (71/2186; 95% CI 2.6-4.1). Multivariate analysis revealed that the only independent risk factors for hearing loss were severe birth asphyxia (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.0-2.7) and assisted ventilation ≥5 days (OR 3.6; 95% CI 2.1-6.0). Conclusion: The prevalence of hearing loss in a representative NICU population was 3.2%. Independent risk factors for hearing loss were severe birth asphyxia and assisted ventilation ≥5 days.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1155-1158
Number of pages4
JournalActa Paediatrica, International Journal of Paediatrics
Volume96
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2007

Keywords

  • Hearing loss
  • Hearing screening
  • NICU population
  • Risk factors

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