The effect of very low birth weight on otoacoustic emissions.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of very low birth weight (VLBW) on the measurement of transiently evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) in newborns.
Methods: TEOAEs were recorded in all VLBW newborns (birth weight < 1500 g) who were admitted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Iaso Maternity Hospital, during a period of 1 year. Twenty-four VLBW newborns were included in the study. Their mean birth weight was 1283 g and they had mean gestational age 31.3 weeks. Forty full-term newborns with absence of any risk factor for hearing impairment were used as controls.
Results: TEOAEs were present in 97.5% of controls, but only in 79.2% of the VLBW group. Statistically significant differences were found between VLBW newborns and controls in most TEOAE measures.
Conclusions: Increased rate of initial 'fail' in hearing screening, in conjunction with statistically confirmed lower TEOAE measures in VLBW newborns, justifies special care and long term follow-up for this group of newborns.