[Incidence and natural history of middle ear disease in newborns and infants with cleft palate].

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to investigate the incidence and natural history of secretory otitis media(SOM) and hearing loss in newborns and infants with cleft palate, consequently, define its audiological criteria and to predict SOM early.

METHOD

Seventy-three newborns and infants with a cleft palate (146 ears) were monthly estimated by tympanogram, static compliance, acoustic stapedius reflex and auditory brainstem response (ABR) under natural sleep within one year of age.

RESULT

Au the infants with cleft palate had the suspected SOM in the first 6 months of life. Among children with cleft palate, the suspected SOM were most prevalent in the 3-month-age. 78. 8% infants with cleft palate had the confirmed SOM in the first 12 months of life. SOM were most prevalent in the 6-month-age. The SOM prodromal period was averagely 3. 8 months from suspected SOM to confirmed SOM. 56. 2% infants with cleft palate had a conductive hearing loss in the first 12 months of life. The conduction hearing thresholds of ABR (2-4 Hz) were averagely 48. 6 dBnHL.

CONCLUSION

The highest incidence of SOM and hearing loss in children with cleft palate appear in infants in the first 1 year of life. The process of SOM and hearing loss onset is progressive process. The infants with cleft palate should be estimated by ABR and acoustic immittance audiometry in each period of 2 or 3 months after birth.