Detection of hearing loss in newborns: Definition of a screening strategy in Bogotá, Colombia

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2019 Jul:122:76-81. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2019.03.016. Epub 2019 Mar 26.

Abstract

Objective: To describe the results from the hearing screening protocol adopted in a Hospital in Colombia emphasizing the importance of performing screening on an outpatient basis, when the newborn is more than 24 h old.

Methods: A prospective study at Hospital Universitario San Ignacio in Bogota, Colombia was carried out, from May 1st, 2016 to Nov 30th, 2017, the study sample included 2.088 newborns examined using transient otoacoustic emissions.

Results: We obtained written consent from the parents of 1.523 newborns and 24 individuals (1.6%) failed the first stage of the screening, nine cases unilateral and 15 bilateral. A total of nine neonates (0,6%) failed the second screening test, six cases unilateral and three bilateral. Four (0,3%) did not return to the second test. Our false altered screening rate was 0.7%.

Conclusions: In a developing country with limited human and economic resources, in which newborn early discharge is the norm, a newborn hearing screening program linked to infants' check-ups, that uses otoacoustic emissions after 48 h of life, seems a feasible option compare to the standard US protocol aiming to conduct hearing screening prior to discharge.

Keywords: False altered screening; Hearing loss; Newborns; Screening; TOAE.

MeSH terms

  • Ambulatory Care
  • Colombia
  • Developing Countries*
  • Female
  • Hearing Loss, Bilateral / diagnosis*
  • Hearing Loss, Unilateral / diagnosis*
  • Hearing Tests
  • Hospitals
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Neonatal Screening / methods*
  • Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous
  • Prospective Studies