Prevalence and Causes of Neonatal Hearing Loss and Follow-Up Default in a Cohort from Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Analysis

Background and Aims: The Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS) program in Saudi Arabia has proven instrumental in curbing the burden of neonatal hearing loss in the country. Recent studies from Saudi Arabia have shown a high rate of neonatal hearing loss and follow up default, along with poor awareness among parents, in the Madina region of the country. The study aimed to investigate the prevalence and causes of neonatal hearing loss and follow-up default, among newborns screened at the Children and Maternity Hospital in Madina, Saudi Arabia. Methods: All 500 neonates who were born at the hospital from January 2021 to January 2022, and underwent UNHS were included. Prevalence and causes were expressed as descriptive statistics. A chi-square test was used to correlate clinical risk factors with the occurrence of neonatal hearing loss. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The prevalence of neonatal hearing loss was 1.2%, with 17.8% follow-up default. Exposure to ototoxic drugs, low birth weight, craniofacial anomalies, neonatal intensive care unit admission, maternal age >30 years, and hereditary risk showed a statistically significant correlation with neonatal hearing loss. Transportation difficulties (33.7%), lack of education (28.7%) and poor economic condition (21.8%) were the top causes of follow-up default. Conclusions: The study reiterates the dire need to raise awareness among parents of newborns regarding the detrimental effects of neonatal hearing loss, the importance of the UNHS program and the necessity for complete follow-up. A wider and more efficient network of screening and referral centers is needed. Research studies conducted at individual institutions can help identify and address the inadequacies of the UNHS program at a grassroots level.