[Hearing screening for high-risk newborns].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the morbidity of congenital hearing impairment among high-risk newborns and the relevant pathogenic factors.

METHODS

Initial screening of hearing by otoacoustic emission (OAE) was conducted among 208 high-risk newborns, 130 males and 78 females after they were born and the second screening was conducted by OAE was conducted 42 days after those with positive results were examined by auditary brainstem response (ABR).

RESULTS

All of the 208 newborns received the initial screening with a screening rate of 100%, and 130 newborns received the second screening with a screening rate of 62.5%. The positive rates in the initial screening and second screening were 34.61% and 7.14% respectively. Six newborns were examined by ABR and 2 of them were diagnoses as with hearing impairment with a prevalence rate of 1.78%. The factors, such as sex, age, and Apgar score affected the initial screening results.

CONCLUSION

The most proper time for initial hearing screening is around the 42nd day after birth. High-risk newborns should receive regular test even though they pass the initial screening. A special follow-up system should be constructed for the high-risk newborns.