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Does universal newborn hearing screening impact the timing of deafness treatment?

Authors :
Faistauer M
Silva AL
Dominguez DOR
Bohn R
Félix TM
Costa SSD
Rosito LPS
Source :
Jornal de pediatria [J Pediatr (Rio J)] 2022 Mar-Apr; Vol. 98 (2), pp. 147-154. Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Jun 21.
Publication Year :
2022

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening (UNHS) on the age at diagnosis, beginning of treatment, and first cochlear implant surgery.<br />Methods: A retrospective cohort study with children up to 12 years old with bilateral hearing loss were divided into two groups: patients who underwent UNHS and the ones who didn't. The groups were compared according to their age at the beginning of the evaluation at a specialized center, at the beginning of the intervention, and, for the ones who had indication, at the cochlear implant surgery. The group who underwent UNHS was divided between the ones who passed the screening test and the ones who didn't. They were compared according to their ages at the same moments as the first two groups.<br />Results: 135 patients were included. The median age at the first appointment in a specialized center was 1.42 (0.50 and 2.50) years, at the beginning of treatment 2.00 (1.00 and 3.52) years, and the cochlear implant surgery 2.83 (1.83 and 4.66) years. Children who underwent UNHS were younger than those who didn't, at the three evaluated moments (p < 0.001). In a subanalysis, children who passed the UNHS but were later diagnosed with hearing loss reached the first appointment with a specialist and started treatment older than those who failed the tests.<br />Conclusion: Performing UNHS interfered with the timing of deafness diagnosis and treatment. However, children who passed the screening but were later diagnosed with hearing loss were the category with the most important delay.<br />Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest.<br /> (Copyright © 2021 Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria. Published by Elsevier Editora Ltda. All rights reserved.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1678-4782
Volume :
98
Issue :
2
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Jornal de pediatria
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
34166624
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jped.2021.04.008