ABSTRACT
AIMS: To report the findings in the first year of follow-up of the Cantabrian Program to screen newborn babies for congenital permanent hearing loss. METHODS: The study population consisted of infants born during a year period in Cantabria (Spain). Universal hearing screening by transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) in 2 stage protocol was performed. Infants with failure scores in these 2 stages and those with risk factors for hearing loss were referred for diagnostic evaluation with auditory brainstem response. Hearing aids were recommended for those infants who had bilateral hearing loss and referrals to infant speech and language rehabilitation. RESULTS: Out of the 4117 eligible babies, 3987 were studied. One hundred and ten (2.6) had risk factors for hearing loss, 3.5% were referred for audiological assessment and 1.2/1000 were diagnosed as having a permanent hearing loss. The false-positive rate was 0.72% after the two-stage screening procedure was performed. Positive predictive value for permanent hearing loss was 10%. CONCLUSIONS: During the first year working with the Cantabrian Screening Program for congenital permanent hearing loss in newborn babies, the most part of the proposed aims have been achieved.
Subject(s)
Hearing Loss/diagnosis , Neonatal Screening , Program Evaluation , Age Factors , Hearing Loss/epidemiology , Humans , Infant, Newborn , Italy , Risk Factors , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Se presenta el Programa de Detección Precoz de la Hipoacusia Infantil que va a implantarse en Cantabria a partir del presente año 2001. Se trata de un programa universal (no dirigido a grupos de riesgo sino a la totalidad de los recién nacidos) y gratuito (tanto para niños que nazcan en hospitales públicos como en privados de nuestra Comunidad). Se estructura en 5 niveles, de los cuales los tres primeros son los del screening propiamente dicho. En la población sin factores de riesgo se establecen dos niveles iniciales basados en otoemisiones acústicas evocadas, siendo remitidos los niños que no superen el 2º nivel a una unidad específica (Unidad de Diagnóstico Precoz de la Hipoacusia Infantil) donde se aplicarán potenciales evocados y/o otras técnicas diagnósticas hasta llegar al diagnóstico de confirmación y etiológico. Los niños con factores de riesgo serán remitidos directamente a la Unidad de Diagnóstico Precoz de la Hipoacusia Infantil para ser sometidos a potenciales evocados y/o otoemisiones acústicas evocadas. Se especifican los índices que se utilizarán para evaluar el programa y los objetivos del mismo (AU)
