Perinatal factors influencing the neonatal hearing screening results

Mahbod Kaveh,Mohammad Reza Zarkesh,Mamak Shariat,Seyedeh Nastaran Mirjalali

doi:10.1186/s12887-020-02476-0

Mahbod Kaveh, Mohammad Reza Zarkesh + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-020-02476-0

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Abstract

BackgroundPrevious studies have indicated that the majority of cases with “failed” results related to transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (OAE) test have the normal hearing. The present study aimed to assess the possible relationships between perinatal factors and the false-positive OAE results.MethodsA case-control study was carried out in an Iranian Hospital in 2020. Based on the OAE results on the first day of life, newborns were divided into 2 groups; Control group included subjects with “Pass” OAE results. Every neonate with “Fail” OAE result was referred for auditory brainstem response (ABR). Neonates with bilateral fail OAE but normal ABR results (false-positive OAE) were considered as the case group. All recorded data were analyzed to assess the possible correlations between maternal/neonatal factors and the false-positive OAE results.ResultsOne hundred and eighty-one neonates entered the study. Of all included neonates, 87 (48.1%) cases showed bilateral fail OAE and 94 (51.9%) subjects passed the OAE test. Normal ABR results (false-positive OAE) were observed in all cases with bilateral fail OAE. Comparisons of variables affecting the OAE results showed that of all perinatal factors, neonate’s sex (p = 0.046) and cesarean section (p = 0.003) were the only influencing factors that increased the risk of false-positive OAE results.ConclusionBased on the results, the cesarean section delivery and neonate’s male sex increased the risk of false-positive results related to OAE test. Implementing other screening tests such as ABR or Automated ABR as the initial screening test could be suggested for such cases.

Highlights

Previous studies have indicated that the majority of cases with “failed” results related to transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (OAE) test have the normal hearing
The population study was single birth neonates with gestational age > 34 weeks who attended for hearing screening test by OAE (Maico Diagnostics Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening; Germany) on the first day of life
Our results showed that of all perinatal factors, neonate’s sex was a significant influencing factor on the false-positive OAE test; the majority of the cases were male (67.1% vs. 32.9%)

Summary

Introduction

Previous studies have indicated that the majority of cases with “failed” results related to transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (OAE) test have the normal hearing. The present study aimed to assess the possible relationships between perinatal factors and the false-positive OAE results. It has been reported that one in every 1000 newborns suffers from congenital bilateral hearing loss [1, 2]. To decrease the impact of adverse effects associated with congenital hearing loss on the infant’s life, early. Kaveh et al BMC Pediatrics (2021) 21:15 canal debris, ambient sound, myogenic interference, infant’s position, or activity may falsely influence the results of the screening tests [5, 6]. An investigation demonstrated that of 1000 screened newborns using TEOAE, 18 subjects had impaired two-step OAE results (OAE implementing on first and 10 to 15 days after neonate’s birth). ABR results showed that of these subjects, 12 (1.2%) responses had been false positive [4]

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