Could Neonatal Hypernatremia Dehydration Influence Hearing Status?

Introduction: Neonatal hypernatremia dehydration (NHD) is a dangerous condition in neonates, which is accompanied by acute complications (renal failure, cerebral edema, and cerebral hemorrhage) and chronic complications (developmental delay). Children begin learning language from birth, and hearing impairment interferes with this process. We assessed the hearing status of infants with hypernatremia dehydration.   Materials and Methods: In a case-control study in ۱۱۰ infants presenting at the Ghaem Hospital (Mashhad, Iran) between ۲۰۰۷ and ۲۰۱۱, we examined the incidence of hearing impairment in infants suffering from hypernatremia dehydration (serum sodium >۱۵۰ mEq/L) in comparison with infants with normal sodium level (serum sodium ≤۱۵۰ mEq/L).   Results: Three of ۱۱۰ cases examined in the study group showed a transient hearing impairment. A mean serum sodium level of ۱۷۳mg/dl was reported among hearing-impaired infants.   Conclusion:  Transient hearing impairment was higher in infants with hypernatremia; although this difference was not significant (P>۰.۰۵). Hearing impairment was observed in cases of severe hypernatremia.  

Keywords:

Auditory Brainstem Response , Hearing Loss , Hypernatremic dehydration , Newborn , Otoacustic emissions