Occurence of indicators for hearing loss in a center of health of Rio Grande do Sul

ABSTRACT

Purpose

Investigate the incidence of risk indicators for hearing loss in newborn and neonatal of a neonatal hearing screening program in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

Methods

A retrospective, observational, descriptive study, performed by speech therapists, in a medium complexity auditory health center. Casuistry composed of 2,333 newborns with risk indicators for hearing loss, who underwent neonatal hearing screening from January 2012 to December 2016. The data analysis consisted on the description of the sample profile, according to the categorical variables and descriptive statistics of the numerical variables.

Results

From 2012 up to 2015, the risk indicator with higher occurrence was neonatal intensive care longer than five days, whereas preterm births prevailed in 2016. Increased heredity, congenital toxoplasmosis, congenital syphilis, congenital HIV and preterm births have also been observed. The risk indicators for hearing impairment that have decreased were: neonatal intensive care longer than five days, mechanical ventilation, ototoxic drugs, hyperbilirubinemia (serum level requiring exchange transfusion), Apgar score from 0-6 at minute five, weight below 1500g, being small for gestational age and congenital syndrome.

Conclusion

During the first four years, the risk indicator with higher occurrence was neonatal intensive care longer than five days, in spite of a decrease during the years. In the last year, the most frequent risk factor was preterm birth, which increased during the evaluated period.

Keywords:
Risk index; Hearing; Hearing loss; Neonatal screening; Infant, Newborn