Title: Risk Factors and Prevalence of Hearing Impairment among Neonates in a South Indian Tertiary Neonatal Centre
Authors: Dr Mohandas Nair, Dr Gireesh S, Dr Soumya S Nair, Mr Sameer P
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i2.103
Abstract
Background: The prevalence of hearing impairment among NICU graduates is 2-4%.Unidentified hearing impairment at birth can adversely affect speech and language development and can cause long term behavioural difficulties.. Newborn hearing screening has helped to identify hearing impairment at an early age and has helped children with deafness to make exceptional progress to acquire spoken language.
Aims: The present study aims to find out the prevalence of hearing impairment in newborns admitted to the NICU and to determine the risk factors for hearing loss.
Settings and Design: NICU of Govt. medical college, Kozhikode, Kerala, Descriptive study
Methods and Materials: 902 inborn babies admitted to NICU of Govt. medical college, Kozhikode, Kerala, were evaluated for hearing impairment as part of the universal screening program. The babies were subjected to hearing screening tests (OAE/BERA) and the related risk factors were assessed.
Results: Among the 486 newborns with one or more risk factors in the sample, 20 babies were found to have hearing impairment. The risk factors considered were prematurity, birth weight less than 1500gm, birth asphyxia, mechanical ventilation, use of ototoxic drugs, sepsis, meningitis, craniofacial anomalies, syndromes associated with hearing loss and intrauterine infections.17 babies with hearing loss had 3 or more risk factors.
Conclusions: The most common risk factors in our study were the use of ototoxic drugs, prematurity, very low birth weight and low APGAR score. Use of ototoxic medicines and very low birth weight was found to be significant risk factors for hearing impairment. The study revealed that hearing impairment was more common in neonates with multiple risk factors. Early detection of hearing impairment helped in referring these newborns for trial of a hearing aid and follow up.
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