ABSTRACT
Aim: We think that the nasopharyngeal swab sample should be taken bilaterally to improve the sensitivity of the real-time-reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test since there may be pathologies that cause nasal obstruction, such as nasal septum deviation (NSD). In this context, we investigated the effect of the nasopharyngeal swab sampling method and the presence of nasal obstruction on the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Method(s): This prospective clinical study was conducted from March 2021 to January 2022. Forty-four hospitalized patients with NSD were included in the study group, and 44 hospitalized patients without NSD were included in the control group. The results of the RT-PCR test studied with a unilateral nasopharyngeal swab sample taken during hospitalization and the RT-PCR test studied with a bilateral nasopharyngeal swab sample taken on the 2nd day of hospitalization and the visual analog scale (VAS) scores showing the patients' pain during the first sampling were determined. Result(s): In the first test, 23 (52.3%) patients in the study group and 32 (72.7%) patients in the control group were evaluated as SARS-CoV-2 positive. The first test sensitivity was significantly higher in the control group (p=0.048). The VAS score was significantly higher in the study group (p=0.00008). In the second test, 35 (79.5%) patients in the study group and 37 (84.1%) patients in the control group were evaluated as SARS-CoV-2 positive. The sensitivity increases in the study group and in the population were statistically significant (p=0.007 and p=0.004, respectively). The consistency of the first and second test results increased in patients without NSD and in patients with low VAS scores [odds ratio (OR)=3.779;p=0.001, OR=2.572;p=0.005, respectively]. Conclusion(s): Nasopharyngeal swab sampling may be affected by nasal congestion and the sampling method. To avoid this, it may be more appropriate to take a nasopharyngeal swab sample through the bilateral nasal cavity. Copyright © 2022 by The Medical Bulletin of Istanbul Haseki Training and Research Hospital The Medical Bulletin of Haseki published by Galenos Yayinevi.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: In this study, we investigated the maternal severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection's effect on newborn hearing loss. Methods: Thirty-nine newborns whose mother's SARS-CoV-2 real time-polymerase chain reaction test was positive at the time of parturition were included in this study. Another 39 newborns who were born from healthy pregnancies were selected as the control group. Neonates with risk factors for hearing loss determined by the American Academy of Pediatrics Joint Committee on Infant Hearing 2007 and those with ear pathology were excluded. The newborn hearing screening was done with auditory brainstem response (ABR) test. Second ABR test (ABR-2) was performed on newborns who failed the 1st test (ABR-1). The third ABR test (ABR-3) was performed on newborns who failed the second ABR test (ABR-2). The screening results were analyzed statistically. Results: In the control group, a total of 6 (15.4%) newborns failed ABR-1, five newborns in one ear (3 right, 2 left), and one newborn in both ears. In the study group, a total of 14 (35.9%) newborns failed ABR-1, 11 newborns from both ears and 3 (2 right, 1 left) newborns from one ear. ABR-1 results were significantly worse in the study group's neonates (p=0.038). In addition, the rate of involvement of both ears was higher in the study group (p=0.018;p<0.05). 1 (16.7%) newborn in the control group and 2 (14.3%) newborns in the study group failed the ABR-2 in both ears. There was no statistically significant difference according to the ABR-2 test (p=0.681;p>0.05). All babies passed the ABR-3. Conclusion: There was a significant relationship between neonatal hearing loss and maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection. This hearing loss is usually bilateral and temporary.