Studying the Auditory Effect of Maternal Iron Deficiency Anemia on Neonates Using Otoacoustic Emissions (Oaes)

Abstract

Background: The adverse effects of iron deficiency anemia on auditory nerve (AN) development have been showed a significant functional consequence on auditory brainstem response (ABR). Aim of the work was to study the effect of maternal iron deficiency anemia on auditory system of newborn infant using otoacoustic emissions (OAEs). Subjects and Methods: 60 full term neonates were divided into 2 groups: Group 1: 30 newborn infants as a control group with maternal blood Hb >10.5 g/dL. Group 2: study group: 30 newborn infants with maternal blood Hb ≤ 10.5 g/dL and diagnosed as maternal iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Results: In transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) there was significant difference between the studied groups at frequency of 4000 Hz in both right and left ears. There was also significant difference between right and left ears as regard signal to noise ratio (SNR) and overall amplitude TEOAE at frequency of 2000Hz in control group and at 4000 Hz in study group. There was significant difference in study group between right and left ears as regard signal to noise ratio (SNR) distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) at frequencies 1409 with right ears showing a higher mean SNR than left ears. Conclusion: The peripheral auditory function, as tested by TEOAEs test, is affected in high frequency region of the cochlea in low ferritin babies while DPOAEs test was less sensitive in these patients for assessment of their cochlear function.