Epidemiology and Clinical Features of COVID-19 among 4,015 Neonates in Iran: Results of the National Study from the Iranian Maternal and Neonatal Network.

OBJECTIVE: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a significant impact on pregnant women and neonates in Iran. This retrospective study describes the national experience among neonates having suspected and confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection following hospital admission to examine the epidemiology, demographic, and clinical features. STUDY DESIGN: All nationwide cases of suspected and confirmed neonatal SARS-CoV-2 infection were drawn from the Iranian Maternal and Neonatal Network (IMaN) between February 2020 and February 2021. IMaN registers demographic, maternal, and neonatal health data throughout Iran. Statistical analysis of demographic, epidemiological, and clinical data were performed. RESULTS: There were 4,015 liveborn neonates having suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection that fulfilled the study inclusion criteria identified in the IMaN registry from 187 hospitals throughout Iran. There were 1,392 (34.6%) neonates that were preterm, including 304 (7.6%) less than 32 weeks' gestation. Among the 2,567 newborns admitted to the hospital immediately after birth, the most common clinical problems were respiratory distress (1,095 cases; 42.6%), sepsis-like syndrome (355; 13.8%), and cyanosis (300 cases; 11.6%). Of 683 neonates transferred from another hospital, the most frequent problems were respiratory distress (388; 56.8%), sepsis-like syndrome (152; 22.2%), and cyanosis (134; 19.6%). Among 765 neonates discharged home after birth and subsequently admitted to the hospital, sepsis-like syndrome (244 cases; 31.8%), fever (210; 27.4%), and respiratory distress (185; 24.1%) were most frequent. A total of 2,331 (58%) of neonates required respiratory care, with 2,044 surviving and 287 having a neonatal death. Approximately 55% of surviving neonates received respiratory support, compared with 97% of neonates who expired. Laboratory abnormalities included elevations of white blood cell count, creatine phosphokinase, liver enzymes, and C-reactive protein. CONCLUSION: This report adds the national experience of Iran to the list of reports from multiple countries describing their experience with COVID-19 in neonates, demonstrating that newborns are not exempt from COVID-19-morbidity and mortality. KEY POINTS: · Most common clinical problem was respiratory distress.. · Sepsis-like syndrome was also frequently present.. · A total of 58% of all neonates required respiratory care..

Effect of a Multifaceted Approach on Perceived Support Among Mothers of Preterm Infants: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

Introduction: Mothers of preterm infants need support to deal with the issues caused by the early birth of their infants. Objective: The authors examined the impact of a multifaceted supportive approach on the mothers' perceived support levels. Methods: The present quasi-experimental study was performed on 143 mother-preterm infant pairs, in two neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) of referral and educational hospitals in Tehran, Iran. The base of developed interventions was known to support system patterns of mothers with preterm infants. Different supportive interventions (appraisal, instrumental, emotional, and informational) of mothers were implemented during three months. The Nurse Parent Support Tool was applied for assessing perceptions of perceived support by mothers. Routine care was provided for the control group. The results were analyzed by STATA software 13. Categorical variables were analyzed by chi-square test, t-test, and inverse probability treatment weights. Results: Following adjustments of mean differences of outcomes between study groups (95% confidence interval), all support scores, such as instrumental support, -1.23 (95% CI -1.04 to -1.43), total support, -1.83 (95% CI -1.6 to -2.06), appraisal support, -2.01 (95% CI -1.73 to -2.29), emotional support, -1.87 (95% CI -2.15 to 1.6), and informational support, -2.12 (95% CI -1.82 to -2.43), were significantly higher in the interventional group than in the control group (p < .001). Conclusions: Support received by mothers of preterm infants determines maternal/neonatal health. Information sharing and effective ways to support are essential elements in the mother's ability to deal with the new, stressful situation. This multifaceted supportive approach considerably improved mothers' perceived support.

The effect of M technique massage on behavioral state and weight gain in preterm neonates: A randomized controlled trial.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of M technique massage on behavioral state and weight gain in preterm neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This was a randomized controlled trial study in which a total of 64 preterm neonates were randomly allocated to intervention and control group. Intervention group received M technique massage and control group received routine care. Neonatal weight and behavioral state were measured for two weeks. After intervention, no statistically significant difference was found between groups in terms of neonatal weight (mean difference: 44.03, 95% CI [-180.66, 268.74]). At baseline, the mean score for behavioral state response was 5.84 ± 2.20 (mean ± SD) in control group and 5.68 ± 2.15 (mean ± SD) in intervention group and the difference was not significant (mean difference: 0.16, 95% CI [-1.21, 1.52]), but 2 weeks later, and also, after intervention, a statistically significant difference was found between groups (mean difference: 2.16, 95% CI [1.19, 3.17]) and (mean difference: 3.03, 95% CI [2.15, 3.91]), respectively, meaning that it was significantly lower in intervention group compared with control group. According to the findings, massage with M technique in premature neonates can have a positive effect on behavioral state, but no effect on their weight gain.

Spectrum of neonatal COVID-19 in Iran: 19 infants with SARS-CoV-2 perinatal infections with varying test results, clinical findings and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: There have been few cohorts of neonates with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) reported. As a result, there remains much to be learned about mechanisms of neonatal infection including potential vertical transmission, best methods of testing, and the spectrum of clinical findings. This communication describes the epidemiology, diagnostic test results and clinical findings of neonatal COVID-19 during the pandemic in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of 19 neonates infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from 10 hospitals throughout Iran. We analyzed obstetrical information, familial COVID-19 status, neonatal medical findings, perinatal complications, hospital readmissions, patterns of repeated testing, and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Eleven neonates had family members infected. Five mothers were negative for COVID-19 and four neonates had no identifiable family source of infection. The neonatal mortality rate from COVID-19 was 10%. Seven newborns (37%) were discharged from the hospital as healthy but required readmission for symptoms of COVID-19. There were 2 multifetal gestations - one set each of twins and triplets, each with disparate testing and clinical outcomes. Premature delivery was common, occurring in 12 of 19 infants (63%). Initial testing for COVID-19 was negative in 4 of the 19 neonates (21%) who subsequently became positive. In 2 cases, neonates tested positive at 1 and 2 h after birth which was suspicious for vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2. CONCLUSIONS: These cases have notable variation in the epidemiology, clinical features, results of testing and clinical outcomes among the infected newborns. Neonates initially testing negative for COVID-19 may require readmission due to infection. Two neonates were highly suspicious for intrauterine vertical transmission. Repeat testing of neonates who initially test negative for COVID-19 is recommended, without which 21% of neonatal infections would have been undiagnosed.

COVID-19 Infection in Iranian Newborns and their Mothers: a Case Series.

BACKGROUND: The symptoms, severity, and prognosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are surprisingly different in neonates versus adults or even children. Currently, there are few studies on neonatal and maternal COVID-19 with limited populations. CASE PRESENTATION: In this study, we present 13 Iranian symptomatic newborns with a positive nasopharyngeal COVID-19 test and their maternal data on COVID-19. All neonates were admitted to the hospital at the first day of life, mostly having symptoms at birth, except three cases that had symptoms at days 2, 11, and 22. Almost all cases had respiratory distress and were tachypneic, which needed respiratory support. Although most cases were discharged after recovery, two patients died at days 12 and 48. CONCLUSION: Neonatal COVID-19 cases mostly had respiratory symptoms and subsequent radiographic features of a viral pneumonia; thus, they had an effective response to oxygen therapy. The symptoms were by far less severe in newborns, although we lost two cases to this infection. This highlights the necessity for good COVID-19 prognosis in infants and neonates.

Impact of Maternity Support Program on the Stress of Mothers in the First Encounter with the Preterm Infants.

BACKGROUND: Mothers of premature infants experience a high level of stress. The current study was conducted aiming at investigating the impact of maternity support program on the stress of mothers in the first encounter with infants. METHODS: This experimental study began in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) of two hospitals of Tehran; that is, Mahdieh (intervention) and Shahid Akbar-Abadi (control), from Feb 14, 2016, to May 14, 2016. Both are educational and referral centers including three levels of NICU that were randomly allocated to intervention and control sites. In the span of study period all 75 infants and mothers with inclusion/exclusion criteria in the Mahdieh hospital were included in the intervention group and vis-à -vis all 68 infants and mothers in Shahid-Akbar-Abadi were enrolled in the control group. The designed intervention was conducted based on the support system pattern of mothers with premature infants in the interventional group. In the first stage of intervention, in the intervention group, mothers were provided informational, emotional, and spiritual support before and during the first exposure and were empowered for comfortable interactions. The control group received routine care. After the first exposure, the mothers' stress was measured by the Parental Stressor Scale: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (PSS: NICU). The data were analyzed by STATA software as well as t-test, Chi-square, and average treatment effects (ATEs) were estimated using inverse probability treatment weights (IPTW). RESULTS: After adjusting pre-treatment variables by IPTW, the adjusted average difference in the stress score over the NICU environment, infant's behavior and appearance, the special treatments on him/her, and the change in the parental role and total stress were 1.47 (1.19-1.75), 1.06 (0.73-1.14), 1.21 (0.93-1.49), and 1.18 (0.93-1.44), which were lower than the control group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The intervention reduced significantly the stress of mothers. The policy-makers are suggested to conduct this method.

Parenteral Fish-Oil Lipid Emulsions in Retinopathy of Prematurity: A Retrospective Comparative Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of a fish oil-containing regimen on the severity of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in preterm infants. METHODS: In this retrospective, observational study, 82 preterm infants with documented retinal examinations were evaluated. Patients' demographic data, associated morbidities, the worst ROP zone, stage, and the presence of plus disease during the follow-up examinations, and the need for ROP treatment in the two groups were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: Forty-three infants were treated with INTRAlipid®, and 39 infants were treated with 20% SMOFlipid. There were no differences in gestational age, birth weight, and associated morbidities between the two groups. No differences were observed among the two groups in their need for treatment (P = 0.51), ROP zones (P = 0.62), and plus disease (P = 0.38). Although no difference was seen in ROP stages between the groups (P = 0.41), in subgroup analysis, Stage 3 (severe ROP) occurred significantly lower in the SMOFlipid group (P = 0.04) and Stage 0 occurred significantly higher in the SMOFlipid-treated infants (P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed no difference between the two groups regarding the need for the treatment. The lower prevalence of severe ROP in preterm infants receiving SMOFlipid emulsion was observed comparing to the INTRAlipid-treated infants.

The Short-Term Effects of Intravitreal Injection of Bevacizumab on the Plasma Levels of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1, and Growth Parameters in Infants with Retinopathy of Prematurity.

PURPOSE: To determine the changes in serum levels of free vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and growth parameters in infants with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) who received intravitreal injection of the bevacizumab (IVB). METHODS: A prospective interventional case series study, including 10 infants with Type 1 ROP was conducted. Using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, serum levels of VEGF and IGF-1 were measured before, 1 month and 2 months after treatment with IVB in both eyes. Growth parameters, including weight, length, and head circumference and their Fenton's z-score, were also measured. RESULTS: Serum VEGF levels were suppressed 1 month after IVB (P = 0.007) and then increased between 1 and 2 months (P = 0.064). Z-scores of all growth parameters except weight z-score decreased in the 1st and 2nd months. CONCLUSION: Serum VEGF levels showed a transient reduction after IVB which lasted at least 2 months. Growth velocity of premature infants may be affected by anti-VEGF therapy and should be followed with particular attention.

Comparison of Risk Factors Related to Intraventricular Hemorrhage between Preterm Infants Born After Normal and in Vitro Fertilization Conceptions.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to compare the level of significance of risk factors related Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) between preterm infants born after IVF and non-IVF conceptions. MATERIALS & METHODS: This historical cohort study was done in four Iranian Hospitals in 2013-2014. Overall, 155 preterm newborns were divided into case (IVF) and control (normal conception) groups. Both groups' demographic data were extracted and recorded. The incidence of IVH and its grades were compared between case and control groups. Significant related risk factors were also considered. RESULTS: No differences were observed between 2 groups except for gestational age and mode of delivery. The incidence of IVH especially grades II and III were significantly higher in the case group (P=0.003). Results showed no correlations between Gestational age (GA), birth weight and number of gestations with the incidence of IVH in the case group (0.059, 0.85 and 0.49, respectively). On the other hand, among GA, birth weight and number of gestations; multi gestations (P=0.0001) was an effective risk factor for IVH occurrence in the controls. CONCLUSION: The incidence of IVH in the IVF group was significantly higher than in the non-IVF group. IVF as an independent risk factor may cause high-grade IVH; however, in the controls, multi gestational pregnancy (P=0.0001) was an effective risk factor for IVH occurrence.

The Nomogram of Penile Length and Circumference in Iranian Term and Preterm Neonates.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The normal length of penis in preterm and term neonates is different among different nations, and is affected by various factors. The present study aimed to determine stretched penile length (SPL) values and cutoff level of micropenis in term and preterm Iranian neonates, for the first time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All male neonates born in two general hospitals of Tehran (Akbarabadi, and Rasoul hospitals), center of Iran, with gestational age of 28-42 weeks were included and their SPL and penile circumference (PC) were examined on the first 3 days after birth by the same physician. Birth weight (BW), and height, gestational age, type of delivery, mother's age, twin/multiple pregnancy, drug, and medical history of mother during pregnancy were recorded and cutoff levels of two variables were calculated based on the collected variables for different gestational ages. RESULTS: Among a total of 587 neonates, 203 neonates were born term and 384 preterm. Mean ± SD of neonates' BW were 2,682.51 ± 739.30 (850-4800) gr. Mean ± SD of their SPL was 22.48 ± 3.34 mm; 25.92 ± 1.54 mm in term and 20.66 ± 2.50 mm in preterm infants (P = 0.001). Mean ± SD of PC was 6.71 ± 1.31 mm; 8.14 ± 0.48 in term and 5.96 ± 0.92 in preterm infants (P = 0.001). SPL and PC were significantly correlated with type of delivery, number of parity, gestational age, BW, and crown-heel length, head circumference (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study suggested that SPL in male neonates was 22.48 mm and PC was 6.71 mm, both correlated with gestational age and BW. Due to the ethnical variety of this cutoff points and lack of an appropriate study in Iran, these cutoff points can be used by all physicians as a reference for Iranian newborns (term and preterm), in order to prevent misdiagnosis of micropenis and genital disorders.

The Needs of Parents of Preterm Infants in Iran and a Comparison With Those in Other Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

CONTEXT: Proper accountability to needs of preterm infants' parents requires recognition of these needs and how they change in different conditions. The aim of this study was to assess the needs of parents of preterm infants in Iran, as compared to those in other regions in the world. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A search of Iranian databases (Iran Medex, Magiran, and SID) and international resources (PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar) was conducted, with no time limitations, to 5 October 2014. Using standard tools, all quantitative studies that considering the parental needs of preterm infants and parental support were extracted. The STROBE checklist was used for the evaluation of the studies. Thirty-one studies were extracted in the qualitative evaluation, of which 17 were included in the meta-analysis. The variance between the studies was analyzed using tau-squared (Tau2) and review manager 5 software. RESULTS: The results obtained using the nurse-parent support tool (NPST) showed that mothers considered that all the fields of support were of great importance. The parental needs in Iran were similar to those of parents in other regions worldwide. However, the mean score for Iranian parents' assessment of the support they received was 2.20 ± 0.06, whereas it was 3.84 ± 0.72 for other countries. The mean scores for parents' assessment of the provision of emotional, informational appraisal, and instrumental support in Iran were 1.73 ± 0.06, 2.1 ± 0.06, 1.54 ± 0.6, and 3.44 ± 0.04, respectively, compared to 3.18 ± 1.34, 4.11 ± 0.5, 4.26 ± 0.18, and 4.51 ± 0.14, respectively, in other countries. CONCLUSIONS: Parents always prefer the priorities of their babies to their individual needs. Given the lower scores for the parental assessment of received support in Iran, it is important to focus on these specific items in providing interventions to meet the needs of Iranian parents.

The effect of facilitated tucking position during endotracheal suctioning on physiological responses and coping with stress in premature infants: a randomized controlled crossover study.

OBJECTIVE: Premature infants respond more intensively to pain compared with term infants. Facilitated tucking position as a non-pharmacological method of pain in infants has been suggested; however, its effect on acute procedural pain such as endotracheal suctioning remains to be studied. This study examined the effect of facilitated tucking position during suctioning on physiological responses and coping with stress in premature infants. METHODS: This was a randomized controlled crossover study. Thirty-four premature infants received an order of either suctioning with intervention - suctioning without intervention, or suctioning without intervention - suctioning with intervention. Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS) was used to collect the data. RESULTS: No statistical significant difference was seen between intervention and non-intervention cases in terms of the average time duration to reach the pain score to one or zero, and also, in the average of changes in oxygen saturation. However, changes in heart rate were less in intervention cases. CONCLUSION: The effect of facilitated tucking position on coping with stress was not found in this study. This non-pharmacological strategy can be suggested because of its effect on reducing changes in heart rate during painful procedure. It is suggested to replicate the study with larger number of samples.

The effect of high risk pregnancy on duration of neonatal stay in neonatal intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: High risk pregnancies increase the risk of neonatal mortality and morbidity. In order to identify the influence of pregnancy complications on the period of neonatal stay in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs), an analysis has been carried out in our center. METHODS: In a cross-sectional-descriptive analytical study, the data including NICU length of stay was gathered from 526 medical records of neonates. We also assessed their maternal complications such as premature rapture of membranes (PROM), urinary tract infection (UTI), preeclampsia, oligohydramnios, and twin/triplet pregnancy. Finally we analyzed the relation between variables by SPSS statistics software version 19. The level of significance was considered P<0.05. FINDINGS: 37 of 526 neonatal medical records were excluded. Of the 489 babies hospitalized in NICU for 1 to 54 days; 28.42% born were preterm, 308 with birth weight <2500 gram and 170 with birth weight between 2500 and 4000 gram. There was a significant relation between length of neonatal NICU stay and maternal PROM (P=0.001), preeclampsia (P=0.01), UTI (P=0.02), multiple gestation (P=0.03), and oligohydramnios (P=0.003). We found a positive correlation between numbers of gestation and length of NICU stay (P=0.03). A positive correlation existed between neonatal complication and length of NICU stay (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: By increasing maternal health level and prenatal care services, neonatal outcome can be improved and length of stay in NICUs decreased.

The effect of facilitated tucking during endotracheal suctioning on procedural pain in preterm neonates: a randomized controlled crossover study.

BACKGROUND: Premature infants not only feel and understand the pain, but also respond more intensively compared with term infants. Non-pharmacological methods of pain control are suitable to relieve pain in painful procedures. The facilitated tucking position is considered as a non-pharmacological method of pain control in infants; however, its impact on frequent and repeated procedural pain such as endotracheal suctioning remains to be studied. OBJECTIVES: This paper is the report of a study that examined the impact of facilitated tucking position on behavioral pain during suctioning in premature neonates. DESIGN: This was a clinical trial study with a crossover design. SETTINGS: The study was conducted in a level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, located in a teaching hospital, affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty four infants were enrolled in this study based on the following inclusion criteria: age between 29 to 37 weeks of gestational age, birth weight 1200 grams or more, having an endotracheal tube, no congenital anomalies, no seizures diagnosis, no chest tubes, no intracranial hemorrhage higher than degree II, not receiving opiates and sedatives four hours before intervention and not receiving any painful procedure at least half an hour before the intervention. METHODS: The samples were randomly received a sequence of suctioning with/without or suctioning without/with facilitated tucking. Preterm Infant Pain Profile (PIPP) was used to collect the data. SPSS version 16.0 for Windows (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: While 38.2% of infants experienced severe pain during suctioning without intervention, only 8.8% of them experienced severe pain during suctioning with intervention. The results of the paired t-test show that there is a statistically significant difference in the mean scores of pain between non-intervention and intervention cases (p < 0.001), and the mean pain score substantially reduced in cases with intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Given the multiplicity of endotracheal suctioning frequency and the impossibility of frequent use of pharmacological methods of pain relief, the facilitated tucking position can be used as a safe non-pharmacological method for procedural pain management. 

New Predictors for Advanced Retinopathy of Prematurity among Neonates in Tehran/Iran.

OBJECTIVE: Since a new epidemic (third wave) of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) sensed throughout the world in recent years, we aimed to assess newer risk factors for advanced ROP which needs treatment in Iranian neonates as a new target output of various neonatal care for this serious disease of newborn infants especially those born prematurely. METHODS: In an analytic cross-sectional study all neonates <1500 g birth weight and/or <32 weeks gestational age admitted to our NICU as a tertiary level intensive care unit in Milad Hospital, Tehran, Iran during June 2006-June 2007 were included. All data were extracted from medical records and compared in two groups with or without treatment. FINDINGS: Seventy one neonate infants entered our study. Twelve neonates (16.9%) progressed to advanced ROP. Final multivariate analysis model revealed that mean leukocyte counts during first 14 days of life (P=0.04), transfusions number (P=0.01) and hypocapnic episodes during first 14 days of life (P=0.02) were significantly different between the two groups of infants independently, even after simultaneous adjustment. CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, more amenable risk factors should be approached regarding more careful modulation of such overlooked risk factors which may lessen the burden of prematurity.

Evaluation of the possible antioxidative role of bilirubin protecting from free radical related illnesses in neonates.

There are disparate data regarding whether bilirubin is protective or toxic during free radical related illness among neonates. Seventy one infants with gestational age (GA) of <32 weeks and/or birth weight (BW) of <1500 g, who survived beyond 4 weeks and completed physical examinations were enrolled in this study. The infants were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of advanced retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), grade III intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), grade III necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), sepsis or severe fungal infection (SFI). The mean of total serum bilirubin (TSB) of the first 14 days of life were measured and compared between these two groups. A significant lower TSB were found in severe form of ROP (P<0.001), grade III NEC (P=0.008), grade III IVH (P=0.021), SFI (P=0.003) and sepsis (P=0.007) in comparison to mild or disease free status. Moreover, the cut-off point of 5.1 mg/dl for the mean of TSB had the sensitivity of 88.1% and specificity of 84.6% to detect severe grades of ROP. Also the cut-off point of 3.25 mg/dl had 97.2% sensitivity and 100% specificity in order to distinguish SFI. It is concluded that bilirubin may play an antioxidant role in vivo as in vitro; and protect preterm infant against these free radical related disorders. Our findings suggest that not only the upper limits of serum bilirubin, but also the lower limits must be taking into account in order to both preventing from neurotoxic effects and free radical based illnesses, respectively.

Prognostic validity of dichotic multiple frequencies auditory steady-state responses versus distortion product otoacoustic emissions in hearing screening of high risk neonates.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the validity of dichotic multiple frequencies auditory steady-state responses (ASSR) as a hearing screening technique versus using distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) among high-risk neonates. METHODS: A cross sectional study was performed on 118 high-risk neonates by means of dichotic multiple frequencies ASSR and DPOAE for hearing screening. DPOAE results were used as the standard for hearing screening in parallel with ASSR. Dichotic multiple frequencies ASSR results were analyzed by means of F-value of less or greater than 0.05 criteria as a pass-fail for the responses. Dichotic multiple ASSR hearing screening technique was considered in two intensity levels at 40 and 70 dB HL. The ASSRs thresholds were measured in high risk neonates with and without hearing deficits as determined by DPOAES. The results of ASSR and DPOAE were compared to be gathered by contingency table in order to obtain sensitivity, specificity and other different statistical values. Average performing times for the tests were analyzed. RESULTS: The specificity of dichotic multiple ASSR was 92.6%, 93.8% and the sensitivity was 71.6%, 62.2% at the 70 and 40 dB hearing levels, respectively. Mean ASSR thresholds for normal-hearing infants at an average corrected age of 6 days were 32.2 ± 12.2, 29.8 ± 10.2, 26.2 ± 11.4 and 30.4 ± 10.8 dB HL for 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz, respectively. The average times for performing the tests were 18.7 and 32.9 min respectively. CONCLUSIONS: ASSR with this special paradigm is a fairly desirable method for hearing screening of high-risk neonates. There is good concordance between ASSRs and DOPAEs results among high risk neonates referred for hearing screening. The sensitivity and specificity of this test is sufficient for hearing screening in high risk neonates. This test could be valuable for rapid confirmation of normal thresholds. As long as further research have not been conducted on ASSR, great caution should be made to interpret the results of ASSR as a hearing screening technique in young infants and also additional techniques such as the tone-evoked ABRs should be used to cross-check results. It's still too soon to recommend ASSRs as a standalone electrophysiologic measure of hearing thresholds in infants.