Abstract
Audiometric tests (tympanogram, acoustic reflex, and pure tone) were performed at 3-5 years of age on 41 LBW ( 0.21 ≥20 days and low risk (Group II, n=18) with FiO2 >0.21 ≤6 days. Group I had a more severe neonatal course with more asphyxia (Apgar ≤4 at 1 min.) (p<.02), acidosis (p<.01), BPD (p<.01), sepsis (p<.01) and days of hospitalization (M±SD) 92±28 vs. 62±15 (p<.01). The groups had a similar socioeconomic scale rating. Audiometric testing revealed 16/23 (62%) of Group I had conductive hearing loss compared to 7/18 (38%) of Group II (p<.01). The children with conductive hearing loss had a greater incidence of respiratory morbidity (pneumonia, otitis media or chronic wheezing) between 4 months and 3 years (p<.01). Sensorineural loss was identified in 2 children in Group I and 1 child in Group II. Moderate to severe hearing loss (conductive or sensorineural) (≥40 dB) was greater in Group I (9 of 23) than Group II (1 of 18) (p<.02). Bayley MDI scores and Stanford Binet tests of the hearing loss children vs. normal hearing children revealed no significant differences between 9 months and 3-4 years. We conclude that LBW survivors with a more severe neonatal course are at significant risk of developing conductive hearing loss although the latter, per se, did not adversely affect the developmental test scores of the LBW survivors.
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