Rajashekhar Rashmi P, Putta Sunanda Devi, Kothari Aishwarya, Ingale Mayur
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pune, IND.
Cureus. 2024 Aug 12;16(8):e66666. doi: 10.7759/cureus.66666. eCollection 2024 Aug.
Introduction Hearing impairment in neonates and infants is a critical concern due to its potential to impede language acquisition, cognitive development, and overall quality of life. Brainstem-evoked response audiometry (BERA) stands out as a valuable diagnostic tool. The early detection of hearing impairments is paramount in neonatal care. Hearing loss during infancy can impede speech and language development, social interaction, and academic achievement. High-risk neonates, including those born prematurely or with low birth weight, have a heightened susceptibility to hearing impairment due to various factors such as exposure to ototoxic medications, mechanical ventilation, and complications associated with prematurity. Methods A hospital-based prospective study was conducted in the department of otorhinolaryngology; the study focused on high-risk neonates and infants from the outpatient department and inpatient department. The study was conducted from October 2022 to March 2024. A sample size of 70 patients was taken, including high-risk neonates and infants. Healthy term neonates and healthy infants were excluded from the study. Results In the current study, there were 40 males and 30 females. Among the infants surveyed, prematurity was the most prevalent risk factor, followed by perinatal asphyxia. Low birth weight was observed in 43% of cases, while hyperbilirubinemia and neonatal sepsis were the next. Among the 70 infants assessed, 50% were found to have normal hearing. Mild hearing loss was observed in 23% of cases, while 14% had moderate hearing loss. Severe and profound hearing loss were less common. Conclusion Our study highlighted the importance of early and routine auditory screening using BERA in high-risk neonates and infants, revealing a significant prevalence of hearing loss linked to various risk factors such as premature babies, low birth weight, hyperbilirubinemia, neonatal intensive care unit stay, perinatal asphyxia, and ototoxic drugs during pregnancy. Prematurity is the most common risk factor. For language development, early diagnosis and intervention were crucial. If babies have profound sensorineural hearing loss, they can go for a cochlear implant.
新生儿和婴儿的听力障碍是一个至关重要的问题，因为它有可能阻碍语言习得、认知发展和整体生活质量。脑干听觉诱发电位听力测定法（BERA）是一种有价值的诊断工具。在新生儿护理中，早期发现听力障碍至关重要。婴儿期听力损失会阻碍言语和语言发展、社会互动及学业成就。高危新生儿，包括早产或低出生体重的新生儿，由于接触耳毒性药物、机械通气以及与早产相关的并发症等各种因素，更容易出现听力障碍。
在耳鼻喉科进行了一项基于医院的前瞻性研究；该研究聚焦于门诊和住院部的高危新生儿和婴儿。研究于2022年10月至2024年3月进行。选取了70名患者作为样本，包括高危新生儿和婴儿。健康足月儿和健康婴儿被排除在研究之外。
在本研究中，有40名男性和30名女性。在接受调查的婴儿中，早产是最常见的危险因素，其次是围产期窒息。43%的病例观察到低出生体重，其次是高胆红素血症和新生儿败血症。在评估的70名婴儿中，50%被发现听力正常。23%的病例观察到轻度听力损失，14%有中度听力损失。重度和极重度听力损失较少见。
我们的研究强调了对高危新生儿和婴儿使用BERA进行早期和常规听力筛查的重要性，揭示了与各种危险因素相关的听力损失的显著患病率，这些危险因素包括早产儿、低出生体重、高胆红素血症、新生儿重症监护病房住院、围产期窒息以及孕期耳毒性药物。早产是最常见的危险因素。对于语言发展而言，早期诊断和干预至关重要。如果婴儿患有极重度感音神经性听力损失，可以考虑进行人工耳蜗植入。
