Etiological investigation of deafness in neonates screened in a universal newborn hearing screening program

Purpose to describe the results of etiology of deaf in neonates screened in a universal newborn hearing screening program. Methods a descriptive, cross-sectional and prospective study. The study included all newborns diagnosed with hearing loss identified in a universal newborn hearing screening program from August 2003 to December 2006. The etiology of deaf was determined after detailed anamnesis performed by the otorhinolaryngologist; survey of serological tests for toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes, syphilis and HIV; tomography of the temporal bone and genetic tests. Results 17 neonates were diagnosed with hearing loss in the period studied. 64.7% of cases presented as probable causes prenatal etiology, 29.4% perinatal causes and one child (5.9%) had unknown etiology. Of prenatal causes, 36.4% had confirmed genetic origin and 36.4% presumed etiology of heredity. We confirmed the presence of congenital infections in 18.2% of cases and one child (9%) had craniofacial anomalies as a possible etiology. The degree of hearing loss more frequently observed in the subjects studied was the profound (47.1%). Conclusion the increased occurrence of etiologies in this study was of prenatal origin, followed by perinatal origin.