Which Risk Factors Predict Postnatal Hearing Loss in Children?

Abstract

This study suggests that children with the risk factors of family history and craniofacial anomalies should have their hearing monitored throughout early childhood, whereas children with the risk factor of LBW should not. Two additional risk factors, syndrome and prolonged ventilation, indicated favorable results for monitoring; however, a full analysis was unable to be completed due to statistical limitations. There was insufficient evidence within this study to support monitoring of children with the remaining risk factors of severe asphyxia, congenital infection, bacterial meningitis, professional concern, and hyperbilirubinemia. Further research with large cohorts of children with and without risk factors needs to be completed to further understand the relationship between risk factors and postnatal hearing loss.