Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2014; 18 - a2498
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1388676

Evaluation of the Frequency and Causes of Newborn Hearing Screening Failure in a Private Hospital in Teresina, Piauí

Rene Lima Porto 1, Danusa Carvalho Garcez Oliveira 1, Gisa Sampaio Viana de Carvalho 1, Rayra Pureza Texeira Barbosa 1, Silvia Bona do Nascimento 1
  • 1UNINOVAFAPI

Introduction: The Brazilian Committee on Hearing Loss in Childhood (CBPAI) and the Multidisciplinary Committee on Hearing Health (COMUSA) recommend the implementation of the Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening (UNHS) in all newborns at birth or until 3 months of age.

Objectives: The present study aims to identify the frequency and causes of failure in newborn hearing screening at a private hospital in Teresina-PI, Brazil.

Methods: An observation analytical retrospective study conducted in a private hospital, where data from 341 children submitted to UNHS was analyzed focusing on the frequency and causes of failure.

Results: From 341 children studied, 43.4% were male and 56.6% female; 84.1% had 1 month of age, 15%, 2 months and 0.9%, 3 months. From the total, 15.5% failed the first test and 84.5% passed. From these subjected to retest, 39.6% failed again and 60.4% passed. Regarding the etiology of failure, 41.9% were due to secretory otitis media, 38.7% to unknown causes and 19.4% to auditory neuropathy. Among the ones who failed the retest, 57.1% failed because of an unknown cause, 28.6% of auditory neuropathy and 14.3% of secretory otitis media. From all patients, 6.2% failed both the test and the retest, results similar to those found in the literature.

Conclusion: The expected rate of failure of the test and the retest was higher than recommended by COMUSA probably due to the greater exposure of newborns to risk factors.