Abstract
To compare the frequency of risk indicators in preterm and full-term babies; to analyze the possible relationships among the presence of risk for hearing loss with language acquisition and socioeconomic, demographic and obstetric variables. This is a longitudinal cohort study, with a sample of 87 babies. Gestational, obstetric and sociodemographic data were collected from mothers and babies. The socioeconomic classification status of the families were classified using the Brazilian Criteria for Economic Classification. The risk for language was assessed using the Language Acquisition Enunciation Signs and the Denver II test. The data were analyzed using the STATISTICA 9.1 software, using the chi-square and the Mann-Whitney U tests and simple and multiple linear regression models. Permanence in a neonatal intensive care (65.52%), ototoxic (48.28%), mechanical ventilation (39.66%) and hyperbilirubinemia (46.55%) were the more frequent risk indicators in the sample. Regarding socioeconomic, demographic and obstetric factors, there was a correlation among prenatal care, gestational age, birth weight, feeding with hearing risk. Acquisition and development of language showed statistical significance with varicella, HIV, Apgar score and birth weight >1500 grams. Preterm babies showed higher frequency of risk indicators compared to full-term babies. Among environmental factors, prenatal care, which interferes in the outcome of gestational age, birth weight, Apgar score and presence of infectious diseases, as well as feeding, emerged as significant factors related to hearing and language acquisition. Prematurity was the relevant biological factor related to hearing and language risk.
Highlights
The integrity of the auditory system is essential for the development of auditory skills and language acquisition
In order to convene the sample of the present study, a consultation was made to the database of the project to which this study is linked, from where preterm and full-term born babies were selected according to the following criteria: were included in the sample subjects having one or more of the Risk Indicators for Hearing Loss (RIHL) and whose family members signed a Free and Informed Consent Form
The present study found a high prevalence of risk indicators for hearing loss (RIHL) in the sample, with a higher risk frequency in the preterm babies group
Summary
The integrity of the auditory system is essential for the development of auditory skills and language acquisition. The Joint Committee on Infant Hearing is an international committee that proposes recommendations on children’s hearing health. This committee understands that risk indicators for hearing loss are prenatal, perinatal and postnatal complications that can cause auditory changes in the child[1]. The Multiprofessional Committee on Hearing Health (COMUSA) reinforces international recommendations for hearing impairment detection and intervention. COMUSA promotes discussion and implementation of specific actions related to hearing health, being a reference in implementing Neonatal Hearing Screening (NHS) in Brazil[2]. NHS was defined as a set of actions that should be performed for comprehensive hearing health care, including screening, monitoring and follow-up of hearing and language development, diagnosis and (re)habilitation[3]
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