Otoacoustic emissions in newborns with mild and moderate perinatal hypoxia

Abstract

Some newborns are at risk for the presence of hearing loss, perinatal hypoxia being one of the most common risks. The perinatal hypoxia can be defined as a decrease in metabolism and nutrition between the mother and the newborn may be caused by the reduction of oxygen or blood circulating among the various organs and tissues. Hypoxia is one of the most common causes of injury and cell death. Its severity can varyand can cause even death of the newborn. The outer hair cells are extremely sensitive to lack of oxygen and his injury will culminate with irreversible hearing loss. Currently, according to the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (2007) only the severe neonatal hypoxia (evidenced by the value of the Apgar score) is considered at risk for hearing loss. However, in cases of mild or moderate hypoxia, although smaller, deprivation of oxygen is present and thus damage to the auditory system might have occurred. Ojective: To investigate the amplitude of otoacoustic emissions in neonates at term without hearing loss risk, which showed mild or moderate hypoxia. Method: To be selected 40newborns of both sexes, which will be divided into two groups: a control group of children without hypoxia, and study group consisted of children with mild or moderate hypoxia. TEOAE and DPOAE are searched in both groups. The results will be compared using statistical analysis to be defined later.