Objectives: In this study, the results of hearing screening tests were compared to explore the effects of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) on hearing in newborns whose mothers have IDA and who do not have any known risk factor for sensorineural hearing loss.
Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study. The study included 6578 healthy neonates born to mothers who were beyond their gestational week 37, and who themselves or their family did not have hearing loss or any comorbid disease other than iron deficiency anemia. The participating neonates’ birth characteristics and the maternal demographic characteristics, auditory brainstem response (ABR) results were obtained from the hospital database.
Results: A positive result was obtained from the second level hearing test in 174 newborns. An idiopathic hearing loss was detected in 25 (0.38%) newborns during their third line of hearing assessment. While anemia was present in the mothers of 17 (0.25%) newborns, no anemia was found in the mothers of 8 (0.12%) newborns (p:0,001).
Conclusions: Knowing the impact of iron on myelination, and therefore, on hearing function is important to prevent any academic and behavioral problems that can be faced by these newborns in their future lives.
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iron, anemia, hearing screening, auditory brainstem response