Progressive Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Survivors of Persistent Fetal Circulation

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to discover whether sensorineural hearing loss was a significant complication in survivors of persistent fetal circulation. Eleven patients were followed to 36 months. Hearing assessments were performed on at least two occasions using brain stem auditory evoked response testing and behavioral audiometry. Three of 11 babies had bilateral, progressive sensorineural hearing loss. No clear relationship could be found between hearing loss and any of the clinical variables examined in this study.

Child Health Status, Neurodevelopmental Outcome, and Parental Satisfaction in a Randomized, Controlled Trial of Nitric Oxide for Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn

“…However, when neurodevelopmental disability is defined as presence of cerebral palsy, DQ Ͻ 70, or seizures, disability rates are in the range of 0% to 36%. [1][2][3][4][5][6][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37] Early studies (pre-1990) reported a higher rate of poor outcomes. Our neurodevelopmental disability rate of 15% is consistent with the more recent reports of outcomes of ECMO, as well as the recent report by Rosenberg et al, 38 in which 12% of nitric-treated PPHN survivors had severe neurodevelopmental disabilities.…”

Universal hearing screening

“…Though incidence per 1000 is higher among at risk infants, focusing only on the at risk infants may miss 50 % of the newborns with hearing impairment . 11,12,13,14,15,16 If the resources are limited then one could focus initially on at risk neonates and gradually implement universal screening .…”

The otolaryngologist's role in management of hearing loss in infancy and childhood

“…Infant sensorineural hearing loss may be related to persistent fetal circulation [Naulty et al, 1986] and/or persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN). The hearing loss associated with PPHN may be delayed and progressive [Hutchin et al, 2000].…”