Failed newborn hearing screens as presentation for otitis media with effusion in the newborn population.
OBJECTIVE
Evaluate the prevalence of middle ear disease in infants failing a newborn hearing screening program. Review the outcomes of those infants diagnosed with or without middle ear disease after failed hearing screen.


METHODS
Retrospective chart review of 76 patients referred to a tertiary care institution for evaluation of a failed newborn hearing screening test.


METHODS
Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, Arkansas.


RESULTS
Seventy-six patients were referred for failed OAEs and complete otolaryngology evaluation. Mean age at the time of referral was 3 months (0.25 years) old. OME was identified in 64.5% of the patients. ABR confirmed a suspected hearing loss in 15 patients (78.9%) without middle ear disease. Effusion resolved without surgical intervention in 65.3% of infants, while 17 (34.7%) of the infants required tubes. SNHL was subsequently identified in 11% of infants after resolution of the effusion.


CONCLUSIONS
OME is a common cause of failed infant hearing screens, and should be looked for prior to definitive diagnostic hearing testing. OME resolves in the majority of infants, but tube insertion is necessary to allow for diagnostic testing in nearly one third of infants. The majority of infants without OME had SNHL confirmed. SNHL was also identified in 11% of infants with OME after resolution of the effusion.
Boone
Ryan T
RT
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham, MS 543, Little Rock, AR 72205-7199, USA.
Bower
Charles M
CM
Martin
Patti F
PF
D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D015997:Neonatal Screening; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017084:Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous / Q000502:physiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014432:Tympanic Membrane / Q000503:physiopathology