Abstract

Background and objective:Hearing impairment is often associated with pregnancy
infections such as Toxoplasma, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus (TORC). The aimswere to
determine the prevalence of hearing impairment using Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) and
analyze the associated risk factors in neonates with dual/multiple TORC infections.
Materials and Methods:This cross-sectionalstudy was conducted from
SeptemberuntilNovember 2019. Infants admitted in the intermediate room during the
period were included in the study and underwent OAE to evaluate the presence of hearing
impairment.Infants with OAE refer tested with TORC examination. Prevalence of hearing
impairment with dual/multiple TORC infections was calculated and the Odds Ratio for
specific risk factors was measured using Fisher’s exact test.
Results: Over the period, 50 babies were screened. Forty-three babies (86%) presented
normal hearing at OAE. Seven babies (14%) response OAE refer. Out of 7 infants, one
infant classified OAE refer had early discharged, the six of them undergo TORC
examination. Out of 6 infants, 5 of them represented dual/multiple TORC infections. By
univariant analysis,the most higher risk factor for hearing impairment and dual/multiple
TORC infection was the premature rupture of membrane OR 41; 95% CI 3,65 – 46,03.
Correlation between dual/multiple TORC infection and hearing impairment was
significant statistically, p=0.001, R = 0.826.