Forthcoming Issue Vol. 19 no. 2 Outcomes of hearing screening in very low birth weight infants in a tertiary hospital in South Africa: A cross-sectional study.
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Abstract
Background: In resource-constrained settings, targeted hearing screening is a feasible short-term option to identify infants with hearing loss. The risk factors that guide targeted hearing screening are based on data collected in high-income countries, with very little data available from low-to middle income countries. Many of these risk factors are associated with very low birth weight (VLBW). Similarly, VLBW infants are more likely to experience complications of prematurity.
Objectives: This study aims to identify associations between the complications of prematurity and failing the hearing screening to identify novel risk factors for hearing loss in South Africa.
Methods: A retrospective record review was done of 508 infants admitted to Tygerberg Hospital during 2022 who underwent hearing screening. Univariate and multivariate logistical regression was used to demonstrate an association with failing the hearing screen. The proportion of hearing screening failures, as well as the frequency of complications of prematurity were also determined.
Results: 508 VLBW and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants were enrolled in the study. Factors with a statistically significant association with failing the hearing screen included ELBW and exposure to ototoxic drugs. the proportion of hearing screening failures was 7% (95%CI 5% to 9%). The three most frequent co-morbidities and interventions were respiratory distress syndrome, non-invasive ventilation and jaundice managed with phototherapy.
Conclusion: This study found a significant association between failing the hearing screening and ELBW and exposure to ototoxic drugs. Further research needs to be done to identify other novel risk factors in the South African context.
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