Neonatal deafness screening: HAS issues new recommendations
Risk factors for neonatal deafness include: family history; spending more than 5 days in intensive care; asphyxia or hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy; extracorporeal life support (ECRS); in utero cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection or early congenital CMV infection; in utero infections, such as herpes, rubella, syphilis, and toxoplasmosis; transmission of Zika to the infant; certain birth conditions, including craniofacial malformations; events associated with hearing loss: severe head trauma, especially fractures of the skull base and temporal bones.
etc.
Inequalities in care
In 2019, Public Health France highlighted significant regional heterogeneity in professional practices. This resulted in inequalities in access to care. In this context, the High Authority for Health was asked to evaluate the program and formulate recommendations aimed at harmonizing practices and strengthening its effectiveness.
Today, the HAS recommends that neonatal screening for deafness be carried out on each of the two ears, at a threshold of 35 dB (instead of 40 dB previously) by integrating two stages:
the first stage includes two tests carried out in the maternity ward or neonatology unit, before one month of corrected age in the context of prematurity. Only one test will be necessary if the first is conclusive; the second stage, a third test, if necessary carried out within the first month following birth.
It recommends better training for health professionals involved in screening and better information for parents during pregnancy.
SudOuest
