Using Mobile Health to Promote Early Language Development: A Narrative Review.

In this narrative review, we first present a brief overview of known disparities in children's language development based on socioeconomic status and efforts in the primary care setting to promote children's language development. Next, we define mobile health (m-health) and review the limited, published literature regarding the effectiveness of m-health interventions in promoting children's health, in general, and language development, in particular. Finally, we discuss the potential role of smartphone applications to increase parental behaviors that promote their children's language development, as well as challenges that should be addressed as the field of m-health continues to grow.

Infant, Maternal, and Hospital Factors' Role in Loss to Follow-up After Failed Newborn Hearing Screening.

OBJECTIVE: Completion of newborn hearing screening (NBHS) is recommended by 1 month old. Delays and loss to follow-up and documentation (LTF/LTD) after failed NBHS are common. Committees of experts have established hospital guidelines to reduce LTF/LTD. We aimed to identify maternal and infant factors associated with LTF/LTD and determine if adherence to hospital guidelines is associated with timely completion of follow-up screening. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of all infants born in Colorado hospitals who failed the newborn admission hearing screening from 2007 to 2012 and a cross-sectional survey of NBHS coordinators at Colorado birthing hospitals. Neonatal intensive care unit infants were excluded. Outcomes included documented completion of the follow-up NBHS and completion by 1 month. Data sources comprised the electronic birth record, infant hearing integrated data system, and NBHS coordinator survey. Data were analyzed by logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 13,904 newborns did not pass the newborn admission hearing screening from 2007 to 2012, and 11,422 (82%) had documentation of a completed follow-up screening. A total of 10,558 (76%) completed follow-up screening by 1 month. All 53 NBHS coordinators completed the survey. Maternal age, education, smoking, and birth country; and payer, race, birth order, and population density were associated with completion of follow-up hearing screening. Maternal education, payer, population density, birth weight, and cleft lip were associated with completion by 1 month of age. Only birth in a facility that charges a rescreening fee was associated with completion of follow-up screening. CONCLUSIONS: Low-income, rural, and minority infants are at risk for LTF. Further studies are needed to determine if adherence to guidelines can overcome barriers to follow-up.