Risk Factors for Hearing Deficits in Neonates
Factor | Notes |
|---|---|
Prematurity | NICU admission is associated with approximately 7-fold increased risk† |
Low Apgar score | < 5 at 1 minute or < 7–8 at 5 minutes‡ |
Severe hyperbilirubinemia and kernicterus | Total serum bilirubin ≥ 35 mg/dL (≥ 598 mcmol/L) or ≥ 10 mg/dL (≥ 171 mcmol/L) above exchange transfusion threshold†§ |
Neonatal complications | Perinatal anoxia or hypoxia Prolonged mechanical ventilation ( ≥ 5 days) or supplemental oxygen requirement Seizures or apneic spells |
Congenital infections or other disorders | Zika virus infection |
Medications | Aminoglycosides Loop diuretics (eg, furosemide) Vancomycin |
Maternal medications | Aminoglycosides |
Genetic factors | Responsible for up to 80% of infant hearing loss¶ |
Wroblewska-Seniuk KE, Dabrowski P, Szyfter W, Mazela J. Universal newborn hearing screening: methods and results, obstacles, and benefits. Pediatr Res. 2017;81(3):415-422. doi:10.1038/pr.2016.250. †Davis BE, Leppert MO, German K, et al. Primary Care Framework to Monitor Preterm Infants for Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Early Childhood. Pediatrics. 2023;152(1):e2023062511. doi:10.1542/peds.2023-062511 ‡Kvestad E, Lie KK, Eskild A, Engdahl B. Sensorineural hearing loss in children: the association with Apgar score. A registry-based study of 392,371 children in Norway. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2014;78(11):1940-1944. doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2014.08.032 §Wickremasinghe AC, Risley RJ, Kuzniewicz MW, et al. Risk of Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Bilirubin Exchange Transfusion Thresholds. Pediatrics. 2015;136(3):505-512. doi:10.1542/peds.2014-3357 ¶ Choe G, Park SK, Kim BJ. Hearing loss in neonates and infants. Clin Exp Pediatr. 2023;66(9):369-376. doi:10.3345/cep.2022.01011 | |
