Risk Factors Association with Cochlear Dysfunction on the First Hearing Screening in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Background Newborn who has been hospitalized in NICU is a group of high risk was recommended to screen for the possibility of hearing loss. The identification of cochlear dysfunction is a part of hearing screening that can be easily discovered by Otoacoustic Emission (OAE) examination. The aim of this study was to analyze some risk factors on the first hearing screening by OAE exam and its probability for cochlear dysfunction. Materials and methods This observational case control study was conducted from March until May 2015 in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital Makassar. Detailed history and data including the gestational age, bilirubin level, Apgar Score, sepsis, and ototoxic drugs use were taken and analyzed using multivariate analyses and logistic regression model. Results The results showed that 42.7 % of the infants had cochlear dysfunction. Multivariate analyses revealed three risk factors associated with cochlear dysfunction preterm with gestational age -32 weeks (p=0.004, AOR 11.45, 95 %CI 2.13 to 61.51), hyperbilirubinemia with bilirubin level greater than20mg/dL (p=0.046, AOR 10.28, 95 % CI 1.04 to 101.52) and asphyxia (p=0.006, AOR 5.03, 95 % CI 1.59 to 15.89). Conclusion The risk factors associated with cochlear dysfunction are preterm baby with gestational age -32 weeks, hyperbilirubinemia with bilirubin level greater than20mg/dL and asphyxia.