Risk factors of hearing loss in neonates older than 6 months with history of hospitalization in intensive care unit

Hearing loss is one of the most important disabilities in neonates. Delay in detection of hearing loss leads to impaired development and may prevent the acquisition of speech. The present study was designed to determine the risk factors associated with hearing loss in neonatal patients aged more than 6 months with history of hospitalization in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
In this case-control study, screening for hearing loss was carried out on 325 neonates aged 6-12 months who referred to pediatric neurology office of Vali-e-Asr hospital, Tehran, iran. Hearing loss has confirmed using Acoustic Brain Audiometry (ABR) screening test.
The prevalence of hearing loss in neonates was determined about 3.6%. The most significant risk factors for hearing loss in neonates were neonatal icterus associated with phototherapy, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and lower Apgar score.
Considering significant prevalence of hearing loss among studied neonates, screening all newborns is still seems valuable and cost effective.