Automated auditory brainstem response in preterm newborns with histological chorioamnionitis

Abstract

Objective: We investigated whether histological chorioamnionitis is associated with an adverse neonatal hearing outcome.

Methods: Two cohorts of very preterm newborns (n = 548, gestational age ≤ 32.0 weeks) were linked to placental histology and automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) outcome.

Results: In multivariable analyses, an abnormal AABR was not predicted by the presence of histological chorioamnionitis, either with or without fetal involvement (OR 1.4, 95% CI 0.5 – 3.8, p = 0.54 and OR 1.1, 95% CI 0.4–3.0, p = 0.79, respectively). Significant predictors of abnormal AABR included, e.g. birth weight (per kg increase: OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.0–0.6, p = 0.006), umbilical cord artery pH (per 0.1 increase: OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.5–0.9, p = 0.005) and mechanical ventilation (OR 3.7, 95% CI 1.2–11.6, p = 0.03).

Conclusions: Histological chorioamnionitis was not associated with an adverse neonatal hearing outcome in two cohorts of very preterm newborns. Indicators of a complicated neonatal clinical course were the most important predictors of an abnormal hearing screening.

• Automated auditory brainstem response
• chorioamnionitis
• hearing screening
• preterm infants

Acknowledgements

We thank Dr Jasmijn D.E. de Rooij and Dr Ingrid G. I. J. G. Rours for their help in data collection and database design.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.