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

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.