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Treatment for hypotension in the first 24 postnatal hours and the risk of hearing loss among extremely low birth weight infants

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate whether treated hypotension in the first 24 postnatal hours is associated with hearing loss in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants.

Study design

In a cohort of 735 ELBW infants, we identified 25 with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) at 12–24 months adjusted age. For each case, we selected three controls with normal hearing. Logistic regression models were used to adjust for confounding variables.

Results

Sixty percent of cases and 25% of controls were treated for hypotension. After adjusting for confounding variables (gestational age, antenatal glucocorticoids, 5 min Apgar < 6, insertion of an umbilical catheter, treatment with high frequency ventilation, and major cranial ultrasound abnormality), treated hypotension was associated with an increased risk of SNHL (adjusted odds ratio: 3.6; 95% confidence interval: 1.3–9.7).

Conclusions

Treated hypotension in ELBW infants in the first 24 h of life is associated with an increased risk of SNHL.

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Fig. 1: Flow diagram for study subjects.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institutes of Health (U10 HD40498).

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Correspondence to Semsa Gogcu.

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Gogcu, S., Washburn, L. & O’Shea, T.M. Treatment for hypotension in the first 24 postnatal hours and the risk of hearing loss among extremely low birth weight infants. J Perinatol 40, 774–780 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41372-020-0628-y

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