Evaluati̇on of relati̇onshi̇p between ri̇sk factors and newborn heari̇ng screeni̇ng test results of Bezmi̇alem Vakif University Medical Faculty hospital

Background: National Neonatal Hearing Screening Test Program has been applied to all newborns since 2004 in Turkey. The purpose of this study is the examination of all neonatal hearing screening test results recorded in Bezmialem Vakıf University Hospital from the beginning of 2014 to June 2020, interpretation of relationship between these test results and investigated risk factors, the evaluation of effectiveness and applicability of the hearing screening tests applied. Material and methods: In Bezmialem Vakıf University Hospital, 8085 newborn screening test results, recorded in the 7 -year-period from beginning of 2014 to June 2020, have been included in this study. With regard to hearing screening test protocol, all babies were screened for hearing with TEOAE (Transient Evoked Otoacustic Emissions) and ABR (Auditory Brainstem Response) tests. Babies who failed the screening tests were followed. Moreover, screening tests were performed individually for each ear. Then these test results were recorded as 'passed bilaterally', 'right ear passed, left ear failed', 'left ear passed, right ear failed', 'failed bilaterally'. All babies who cannot pass the screening tests bilaterally were directed to reference centers. Furthermore, the presence of hearing loss was determined as a result of the the tests performed in reference centers. The frequencies of risk factors in babies with and without hearing loss were compared. Results: While 98.2% (n:7941) of 8085 babies had no hearing loss, 0,9% (n:74) had hearing loss. There were 0,9% (n:70) babies who started the National Neonatal Hearing Screening Test protocol but did not continue their follow up. Gender distribution, birth weight, low birth weight (<1500 gram), form of delivery, febrile illness of the mother during pregnancy, hereditary hearing loss in the family, consanguineous marriage, hyperbilirubinemia, hospitalization in neonatal intensive care unit were questioned in the screened babies. Statistically significant difference in the group with hearing loss was detected in terms of gender distribution, hereditary hearing loss in the family, consanguineous marriage, low birth weight, form of delivery, hyperbilirubinemia, hospitalization in neonatal intensive care unit. VII Conclusion: When the data of 8085 babies screened in our study were examined, it was seen that 74 babies (%0,9) with hearing loss were diagnosed early. Some of these babies had unilateral whereas some had bilateral hearing loss. Therefore, it has been observed that performing the hearing screening test bilaterally is a more accurate practice. Statistically significant difference in the group with hearing loss was detected in terms of gender distribution, hereditary hearing loss in the family, consanguineous marriage, low birth weight, form of delivery, hyperbilirubinemia, hospitalization in neonatal intensive care unit. In the hearing screening test result records, leaving the APGAR score question blank for all patients and not entering any positive data in question of having a febrile illness during pregnancy is a situation that needs to be corrected. Since the questioned criteria give meaningful results and has great importance for the early diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss in many newborn babies, the importance of performing National Neonatal Hearing Screening Tests carefully and without skipping any newborn is obvious as we showed in our study. Conducting multicenter study with higher number of cases about National Neonatal Hearing Screening Tests applied in our country, is very important for clearly understanding of risk factors and determination of new risk factors. Future studies will greatly contribute to the further development of screening program. The more newborns with hearing loss are detected with screening program, the more babies will be provided early diagnosis and treatment. In this way, many physical, mental health problems and socioeconomic problems that these children will experience in their later life will be prevented. Key Words: National Neonatal Hearing Screening Test Program, newborn, risk factors, gender, hereditary hearing loss in family, low birth weight, consanguineous marriage, form of delivery, hyperbilirubinemia, neonatal intensive care unit, low APGAR score