Maternal COVID-19 and neonatal hearing loss: a multicentric survey

Abstract

Purpose Gestational SARS-Cov-2 infection can impact maternal and neonatal health. The virus has also been reported of causing sensorineural hearing loss. The objective of this study was to determine the possible effect of maternal SARS-COV-2 infection on neonatal hearing as identified during universal hearing screening. Methods Retrospective cohort study in two tertiary referral centers including all neonates born from November 2020 through April 1st, 2021 and undergoing the universal hearing screening program. Maternal Covid-19 infection was recorded (timing and severity) and the results of hearing screening of their neonates compared to the incidence of neonatal hearing loss results of the national universal screening program during the same period. Results A total of 984 neonates were included (508 males and 476 females). Sixty-three neonates were excluded due to comorbidities which could cause hearing loss. The incidence of failed responses in the community at large was 2.3%. Twenty-seven failed both steps of screening (2.9%; p < 0.2). There were 34 Covid-19 positive mothers (17 in the first trimester, 8 in the second and 9 in the third). Twenty-nine neonates failed the first screening ( p < 0.00001) but on further testing only one neonate failed (2.9%). Conclusion In this study, neonates born to Covid-19 positive mothers do not seem to have an increased risk of hearing loss. However longer follow-up of these neonates is mandatory to detect any possible delayed effects of the virus.

Can SARS-CoV-2 positive pregnant women affect the hearing of their newborns: A systematic review

“… The absence of HL in the study does not rule out the possibility that SARS-CoV-2 infection causes congenital HL. Uncertain Poor Mostafa et al [27] 2021 Egypt Retrospective study November 2020 to April 1st, 2021 34 NA TEOAE, ABR Although 29 cases failed the initial hearing screening, only 1 case (2.9 %) failed when retested. It seems no increased risk of HL in newborns.…”

“…In the second place, 2 related papers were published from Italy [22] , [29] . Besides, there is 1 paper each from the United States and Egypt [25] , [27] . The distribution of countries where the study was conducted is shown in Fig.…”

“…Several studies have shown that maternal SARS-CoV-2 virus infection does not affect newborn hearing [22] , [27] , [28] , [29] . Ghiselli et al investigated 63 newborns whose mothers had been diagnosed with COVID-19 during pregnancy and found that 4 failed the first ABR test, but only 1 (1.6 %) had ABR alterations when they were re-examined 1 month later [22] .…”

“…Ghiselli et al investigated 63 newborns whose mothers had been diagnosed with COVID-19 during pregnancy and found that 4 failed the first ABR test, but only 1 (1.6 %) had ABR alterations when they were re-examined 1 month later [22] . Mostafa et al conducted a retrospective cohort analysis with 921 newborns, and only 1 of the 34 newborns born to COVID-19-positive mothers failed the ARB test (2.9 %) [27] . Buonsenso et al evaluated 143 newborns whose mothers had COVID-19; 27 failed TEOAE screening, 14 of whom were normal when tested again a month later [29] .…”

“…A recent meta-analysis found a link between fetal Zika virus exposure and HL in children's first years of life [47] . As a result, the monitoring period for newborns with HL should be extended to detect probable late-onset hearing impairments caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy [27] . Fourth, the omicron variant differs from the prior SARS-CoV-2 characteristic; however, no studies on the effect of omicron on newborn hearing have been conducted.…”