Impact of COVID-19 on diagnosis and management of newborn hearing loss.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unexpected disruptions in patient care, including adherence to the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) 1-3-6 guidelines. These guidelines mandate newborn hearing screening (NHS) by 1 month of age, diagnosis of hearing loss (HL) by 3 months, and referral to Early Intervention by 6 months. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on EHDI benchmarks in a major US city to help clinicians address current needs and prepare for future disruptive events. METHODS: Retrospective review was performed for all patients who did not pass NHS at two tertiary care centers between March 2018 and March 2022. Patients were divided into three cohorts based on the periods of time before, during, and after the COVID-19 Massachusetts State of Emergency (SOE). Demographics, medical history, NHS results, Auditory Brainstem Response results, and hearing aid (HA) intervention data were collected. Two-sampled independent t-tests and analysis of variance were used to compute rate and time outcomes. RESULTS: 30,773 newborns underwent NHS and 678 failed NHS. There was no difference in 1-month benchmark NHS rates, increased 3-month benchmark HL diagnosis rate post-SOE COVID (91.7%; p = 0.002), and increased 6-month benchmark HA intervention rate post-SOE COVID compared to pre-COVID (88.9% vs. 44.4%; p = 0.027). Mean time to NHS was lower during SOE COVID compared to pre-COVID (1.9 days vs. 2.0 days; p = 0.038) and mean time to HL diagnosis was higher during SOE COVID (47.5 days; p < 0.001). Lost to follow-up (LTF) rate at HL diagnosis decreased post-SOE (4.8%; p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: No differences in EHDI 1-3-6 benchmark rates between pre-COVID and SOE COVID patients were observed. However, increased 3-month benchmark HL diagnosis and 6-month benchmark HA intervention rates and a decreased LTF rate at 3-month benchmark HL diagnosis were observed post-SOE COVID.

Congenital Cytomegalovirus Screening in Massachusetts Birth Hospitals: A Statewide Survey.

This study sought to assess the current state of screening for congenital cytomegalovirus infection in newborns among birth hospitals and newborn nurseries in the state of Massachusetts. A survey assessing hospital protocols for cytomegalovirus testing in newborns was distributed to all birth hospitals and newborn nurseries in Massachusetts from November 2020 to February 2021. 73.3% of hospitals responded to at least one survey question. Of these, fewer than half (48.5%) had any established approach for neonatal cytomegalovirus screening. Salivary polymerase chain reaction was the most common testing modality. Most hospitals did not perform confirmatory testing for positive test results. Most respondents (87.9%) did not know or did not answer how results of cCMV screening were reported to families and who was responsible for coordinating care for cCMV-infected infants. We conclude that congenital cytomegalovirus screening protocols are absent or incomplete in most Massachusetts birth hospitals and newborn nurseries. A cohesive strategy involving standardized education and screening guidelines is needed to reduce the incidence and burden of congenital cytomegalovirus disease on children and their families.

Congenital Cytomegalovirus Targeted Screening Implementation and Outcomes: A Retrospective Chart Review.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness and outcomes of a targeted cytomegalovirus (CMV) testing protocol. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Tertiary care institution. METHODS: Targeted screening for CMV in children who did not pass the newborn hearing screening (NHS) was introduced in July 2015 for the level 2 and 3 nurseries at our hospital. In January 2016, this policy was extended to include all nurseries. Retrospective chart review was performed for all newborns who did not pass their NHS between 2013 and 2020. CMV testing rates and related outcomes were compared before and after rollout. RESULTS: A total of 891 charts were reviewed for infants who did not pass their NHS: 530 (60%) had CMV testing, of which 8 (1.5%) tested positive. Three cases were detected prior to and 5 occurred after initiation of targeted screening. Six CMV+ infants demonstrated hearing loss on confirmatory auditory brainstem response, all of whom began treatment with oral valganciclovir. Hearing remained stable in 3 patients, progressed in 2, and improved in 1. The rate of CMV testing in children who did not pass their NHS increased from 14% to 88% after full implementation of targeted screening (P < .001). The average age at initial infectious disease consultation was significantly younger for infants born after targeted screening (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Targeted screening is a feasible and effective method to identify CMV+ infants early in life. Implementation of a targeted screening program for CMV in children who do not pass the NHS resulted in significantly higher rates of CMV testing and earlier referral to infectious disease.