Lucia Corradin1, Elena Fanton. 1. Coordinatrice infermieristica, UO di Neonatologia, Caritas Baby Hospital, Betlemme.
Abstract
AIM: The prevalence of deafness in a pediatric hospital Caritas Baby Hospital in Bethlehem was described. METHOD: All the clinical records of neonates born September 25, 2006 to March 25, 2007 screened for deafness were selected. RESULTS: Among the 274 screened newborns, 112 were females and 162 males, 97% from the districts of Bethlehem and Hebron, and 3% from other locations in the West Bank. The most recurrent diagnoses were jaundice, potential sepsis and prematurity. Sixty-three were positive at the first screening, 26 at the second screening and only 4 were visited by the audiologist, who confirmed a hearing loss (medium or high) in 3 newborns. CONCLUSIONS: Screening for deafness should be extended to all newborns and parents should be educated increase awareness of potential problems of children and to refer the child to a specialist.
AIM: The prevalence of deafness in a pediatric hospital Caritas Baby Hospital in Bethlehem was described. METHOD: All the clinical records of neonates born September 25, 2006 to March 25, 2007 screened for deafness were selected. RESULTS: Among the 274 screened newborns, 112 were females and 162 males, 97% from the districts of Bethlehem and Hebron, and 3% from other locations in the West Bank. The most recurrent diagnoses were jaundice, potential sepsis and prematurity. Sixty-three were positive at the first screening, 26 at the second screening and only 4 were visited by the audiologist, who confirmed a hearing loss (medium or high) in 3 newborns. CONCLUSIONS: Screening for deafness should be extended to all newborns and parents should be educated increase awareness of potential problems of children and to refer the child to a specialist.