Influencia del pH de cordón umbilical en el resultado del cribado auditivo con otoemisiones en recién nacidos sanos / Influence of umbilical cord pH on the outcome of hearing screening with otoacoustic emissions in healthy newborns

Objetivo Es conocido el efecto de la hipoxia sobre el funcionamiento de las células ciliadas externas de la cóclea, que son las responsables de la respuesta a las otoemisiones utilizadas en el cribado auditivo neonatal. El objetivo de este estudio es conocer la influencia de variaciones leves o moderadas del pH de cordón umbilical al nacer en el resultado del cribado auditivo con otoemisiones en recién nacidos sanos sin factores de riesgo auditivo. Resultados La muestra está compuesta de 4.536 niños sanos. Los resultados no muestran diferencias significativas en el resultado del cribado auditivo entre el grupo de pH asfíctico (<7,20) y normal. Tampoco se detecta una cifra de pH inferior a 7,20 en la muestra que se relacione con alteración en el cribado. Desglosando en subgrupos con factores conocidos de variación en el resultado del cribado, como es el género o la lactancia, tampoco se detectan diferencias significativas de respuesta. El Apgar ≤ 7 sí se relaciona significativamente con un pH<7,20. Conclusiones En conclusión, las situaciones de asfixia leve-moderada asociadas al parto de recién nacidos sanos sin factores de riesgo auditivo no alteran el resultado del cribado con otoemisiones. (AU)

Objective The effect of hypoxia on the functioning of the outer hair cells of the cochlea, which are responsible for the response to otoemissions used in neonatal hearing screening, is well known. The aim of this study is to determine the influence of mild to moderate variations in umbilical cord pH at birth on the outcome of hearing screening with otoemissions in healthy newborns without hearing risk factors. Results The sample is composed of 4536 healthy infants. The results show no significant differences in the hearing screening outcome between the asphyctic (<7.20) and normal pH group. Nor is a figure below 7.20 detected in the sample that is related to an alteration in the screening. When broken down into subgroups with known factors of variation in the screening result, such as gender or lactation, no significant differences in response were detected. Apgar ≤ 7 is significantly related to pH<7.20. Conclusions In conclusion, mild-moderate asphyxia associated with delivery of healthy newborns, without auditory risk factors, does not alter the outcome of otoemission screening. (AU)

Analysis of selective screening for congenital cytomegalovirus in a secondary hospital: Problems and solutions.

Universal hearing screening offers unique possibilities for detection of congenital deafness as a consequence of congenital cytomegalovirus (CMVc) infection, so its selective study in the case of a failed test could be a non-negligible screening opportunity while other guidelines covering the possibility of universal screening are adopted. The aim of this study is to analyse the possibility of selective screening for CMVc after an altered hearing test in a regional hospital. During the period studied, the results obtained were unsatisfactory, especially in children born outside the hospital of residence, showing an excessive delay in hearing screening in many cases and in the few cases where CMVc screening could be performed, only 30% had the test ordered in a timely manner. The reasons for this are varied and the solution is to include selective screening for CMVc in the hearing screening programme. This implies shortening the timing of the hearing screening protocol to allow CMVc testing in saliva or urine (preferably) before 21 days of age and providing screening programmes with the necessary staff and time to perform it properly.

Influence of umbilical cord pH on the outcome of hearing screening with otoacoustic emissions in healthy newborns.

The effect of hypoxia on the functioning of the outer hair cells of the cochlea, which are responsible for the response to otoemissions used in neonatal hearing screening, is well known. The aim of this study is to determine the influence of mild to moderate variations in umbilical cord pH at birth on the outcome of hearing screening with otoemissions in healthy newborns without hearing risk factors. The sample is composed of 4536 healthy infants. The results show no significant differences in the hearing screening outcome between the asphyctic (<7.20) and normal pH group. Nor is a figure below 7.20 detected in the sample that is related to an alteration in the screening. When broken down into subgroups with known factors of variation in the screening result, such as gender or lactation, no significant differences in response were detected. Apgar ≤7 is significantly related to pH<7.20. In conclusion, mild-moderate asphyxia associated with delivery of healthy newborns, without auditory risk factors, does not alter the outcome of otoemission screening.

Sordera infantil con discapacidad asociada (DA+): recomendaciones CODEPEH / Deaf children with additional disabilities (AD+): CODEPEH recommendations

Aproximadamente el 40% de los niños con sordera tienen añadido un trastorno del desarrollo o un problema médico importante, que puede retrasar la edad de diagnóstico de la hipoacusia y/o precisar de la intervención de otros profesionales. Esta situación se designa como «hipoacusia o sordera con discapacidad añadida» (DA+). El motivo por el que la población de niños con problemas auditivos es más propensa a asociar discapacidades añadidas radica en que los factores de riesgo para la hipoacusia se superponen con los de muchas otras discapacidades. Estos factores pueden influir en diversos aspectos del desarrollo, incluida la adquisición del lenguaje. Es importante comprobar que se recibe la adecuada atención, la efectividad de audífonos o implantes, así como de las estrategias de intervención logopédica, y la adherencia de la familia a sesiones y citas. Los desafíos que plantea la DA+ son su detección precoz, para permitir una temprana y adecuada intervención, y la necesidad de una colaboración transdisciplinar fluida entre todos los profesionales que han de intervenir, junto con la implicación de la familia. (AU)

Approximately 40% of children with deafness have an additional developmental disorder or major medical problem, which may delay the age of diagnosis of hearing loss and/or require intervention by other professionals. This situation is referred to as “deafness with added disability” (AD+). The reason why the population of hearing-impaired children is more likely to have associated added disabilities is that the risk factors for hearing impairment overlap with those for many other disabilities. These factors can influence various aspects of development, including language acquisition. It is important to check that appropriate care is received, the effectiveness of hearing aids or implants, as well speech therapy intervention strategies, and family adherence to sessions and appointments. The challenge posed by AD+ is early detection, to allow early and appropriate intervention, and the need for fluid transdisciplinary collaboration between all professionals involved, together with the involvement of the family. (AU)

Neonatal Hearing Rescreening in a Second-Level Hospital: Problems and Solutions.

Second-level hospitals face peculiarities that make it difficult to implement hearing rescreening protocols, which is also common in other settings. This study analyzes the hearing rescreening process in these kinds of hospitals. A total of 1130 individuals were included; in this cohort, 61.07% were hospital newborns who failed their first otoacoustic emission test after birth (n = 679) or were unable to perform the test (n = 11), and who were then referred to an outpatient clinic. The remaining 38.93% were individuals born in another hospital with their first test conducted in the outpatient clinic (n = 440). A high number of rescreenings were made outside of the recommended time frame, mainly in children referred from another hospital. There was a high lost-to-follow-up rate, especially regarding otolaryngologist referrals. Neonatal hearing screening at second-level hospitals is difficult because of staffing and time constraints. This results in turnaround times that are longer than recommended, interfering with the timely detection of hearing loss. This is particularly serious in outpatient children with impaired screening. Referral to out-of-town centers leads to unacceptable follow-up loss. Legislative support for all these rescreening issues is necessary. In this article, these findings are discussed and some solutions are proposed.

Deaf children with additional disabilities (AD+): CODEPEH recommendations.

Approximately 40% of children with deafness have an additional developmental disorder or major medical problem, which may delay the age of diagnosis of hearing loss and/or require intervention by other professionals. This situation is referred to as "deafness with added disability" (AD+). The reason why the population of hearing-impaired children is more likely to have associated added disabilities is that the risk factors for hearing impairment overlap with those for many other disabilities. These factors can influence various aspects of development, including language acquisition. It is important to check that appropriate care is received, the effectiveness of hearing aids or implants, as well speech therapy intervention strategies, and family adherence to sessions and appointments. The challenge posed by AD+ is early detection, to allow early and appropriate intervention, and the need for fluid transdisciplinary collaboration between all professionals involved, together with the involvement of the family.

Vibroacoustic Study in the Neonatal Ward.

Neonatal wards are often subject to excessive noise pollution. Noise pollution encompasses two concepts, noise and vibration; their main difference being that a noise is heard and a vibration is felt in the body. The latter is what can be transmitted within the incubators of neonatal inpatients. This fact needs to be explored in depth. This work shows the results of the diagnosis of vibrations transmitted within the incubators that could affect neonates admitted to the neonatal unit of the Francesc de Borja University Hospital (Gandía, Spain). For this purpose, the vibrations reaching the neonate head resting area were recorded, taking into account different points, scenarios, days, and time slots. It could be observed that due to the incubator's motor position, the levels obtained in some scenarios measured in this study exceeded the regulation-specified levels. The conclusion is that the greatest influence on vibrations is the incubator's own motor, with other possible sources of vibrations, such as the room's air conditioning, having less influence. Further studies are needed to determine whether this vibration is harmful or beneficial to the neonate.

Ototoxicity in childhood: Recommendations of the CODEPEH (Commission for the Early Detection of Childhood Hearing Loss) for prevention and early diagnosis.

Ototoxicity is defined as the damage, reversible or irreversible, produced in the inner ear by various substances that are called ototoxic and that can cause hearing loss and/or an alteration of the vestibular system. Permanent hearing loss significantly affects quality of life and is especially important in children. The lack or delay in its detection is frequent, since it often progresses in an inconspicuous manner until it affects communication and overall development. This impact can be minimized by following a strategy of audiological monitoring of ototoxicity, which allows for its early detection and treatment. This document recommends that children who are going to be treated with cisplatin or aminoglycosides be monitored. This CODEPEH review and recommendation document focuses on the early detection, prophylaxis, otoprotection, monitoring and treatment of ototoxicity caused by aminoglycosides and platinum-based antineoplastics in the paediatric population.

Ototoxicidad en la edad pediátrica: recomendaciones de la CODEPEH (Comisión para la Detección Precoz de la Hipoacusia infantil) para su prevención y diagnóstico precoz / Ototoxicity in childhood: Recommendations of the CODEPEH (Commission for the Early Detection of childhood Hearing Loss) for prevention and early diagnosis

La ototoxicidad se define como el daño, reversible o irreversible, producido sobre el oído interno por diversas sustancias que se denominan ototóxicos y que causan una hipoacusia y/o una alteración del sistema vestibular.La hipoacusia permanente afecta significativamente a la calidad de vida y es especialmente importante en el caso de niños. Es frecuente la falta o el retraso en su detección, dado que muchas veces progresa de forma poco llamativa hasta que afecta a la comunicación y al desarrollo global. Este impacto puede minimizarse siguiendo una estrategia de monitorización audiológica de la ototoxicidad, que permita su detección y tratamiento precoz. Se recomienda implantar dicha monitorización en los niños que van a ser tratados con cisplatino o aminoglucósidos.Este documento de revisión y recomendaciones de la CODEPEH se enfoca a la detección precoz, la profilaxis, la otoprotección, el seguimiento y el tratamiento de la ototoxicidad por aminoglucósidos y antineoplásicos derivados del platino en la población pediátrica. (AU)

Ototoxicity is defined as the damage, reversible or irreversible, produced in the inner ear by various substances that are called ototoxic and that can cause hearing loss and/or an alteration of the vestibular system.Permanent hearing loss significantly affects quality of life and is especially important in children. The lack or delay in its detection is frequent, since it often progresses in an inconspicuous manner until it affects communication and overall development. This impact can be minimized by following a strategy of audiological monitoring of ototoxicity, which allows for its early detection and treatment. This document recommends that children who are going to be treated with cisplatin or aminoglycosides be monitored.This CODEPEH review and recommendation document focuses on the early detection, prophylaxis, otoprotection, monitoring and treatment of ototoxicity caused by aminoglycosides and platinum-based antineoplastics in the paediatric population. (AU)

Problemas diagnósticos de la intoxicación por cianuro derivada de la ingesta de almendras amargas / Difficulties in the diagnosis of cyanide poisoning following consumption of bitter almonds

Los casos de intoxicación por ingesta de cianuro en niños son raros. La almendra amarga contiene amigdalina y se descompone tras su ingesta, produciendo ácido cianhídrico que bloquea el uso celular del oxígeno, lo que ocasiona afectación de órganos diana. Presentamos un caso de sospecha de intoxicación por cianuro en un niño de 3 años tras ingesta de almendras amargas. El diagnóstico de sospecha se estableció con base en la clínica gastrointestinal y neurológica y en el hallazgo gasométrico de acidosis metabólica con hiperlactacidemia y anión GAP aumentado, lo cual es muy específico de esta entidad. No se pudieron determinar los niveles de cianuro en ningún laboratorio habitual de España, tampoco en el Instituto Toxicológico Nacional y Ciencias Forenses sin disponer de orden judicial. Ante la clínica inespecífica y las dificultades para determinar la concentración de cianuro en sangre, debe ofrecerse tratamiento precoz y antídoto específico ante la sospecha de intoxicación por cianuro (AU)

Cyanide poisoning in children is rare. Bitter almonds contain amygdalin, and hydrolysis of this compound following ingestion yields hydrocyanic acid, which inhibits cellular oxygen use and therefore causes target organ damage. We present a case of suspected cyanide poisoning in a child aged 3 years after the ingestion of bitter almonds. The diagnosis was based on the gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms and the detection of metabolic acidosis with hyperlacticaemia and a high anion gap, which are highly specific for this type of poisoning. Blood cyanide levels could not be measured in any clinical laboratory in Spain, and it was also not possible to do it in the National Institute of Toxicology and Forensic Sciences without a court order. Given the non-specific symptoms and the difficulty of measuring the concentration of cyanide in blood, treatment should be initiated early with administration of specific antidote if cyanide poisoning is suspected. (AU)

Maternal factors associated with smoking during gestation and consequences in newborns: Results of an 18-year study.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco use is one of the most important causes of obstetric and perinatal pathologies. Its frequency during pregnancy is high and could be related to various socioeconomic and cultural characteristics of the mothers. AIM: The aim of this study is to determine the trend and prevalence of smoking in pregnant mothers in our area over the years and the socio-cultural or obstetric factors associated with smoking as well as the repercussions on the newborns related to its consumption. METHODS: Retrospective study of 18,959 mothers of healthy newborns in the maternity ward of the regional hospital during the years 2002-2019. The variable under study was maternal smoking during pregnancy compared with various maternal, obstetric, and perinatal factors. RESULTS: A mean percentage of 20.4% of the mothers smoked, with significantly decreasing percentages over the years. There was a significant association between smoking and mothers' age, origin, level of education, the occurrence of previous abortions, parity, type of breastfeeding at discharge, type of delivery, low birth weight, and need for neonatal resuscitation. CONCLUSIONS: This defines a profile of pregnant smokers on whom it is important to act: young, Spanish, with a low level of education, multiparous, and with previous miscarriages. Its repercussions are also evident with a lower birth weight in newborns. Knowledge of these factors will make it possible to design more effective intervention strategies to reduce smoking during pregnancy. RELEVANCE FOR PATIENTS: Any effort that reduces smoking habits can improve the health status of mothers and newborns and the first step is to know who are risk pregnants.

Keypoints to Successful Newborn Hearing Screening. Thirty Years of Experience and Innovations.

Congenital deafness is a major pediatric problem, affecting about 1.5-3 per 1000 newborns. The early treatment through cochlear implantation and auditory rehabilitation has been a historic milestone. Early diagnosis of congenital deafness is an essential requirement to obtain the best results, which is achieved through neonatal screening, a diagnostic practice that we began systematically at the Hospital Clínico in Valencia (Spain) 30 years ago. Neonatal hearing screening is successful in most developed countries. Its implementation has been slow due to the multiple difficulties that its universal application entails since it involves several health professionals and must be carried out, in a short time interval after birth. In addition, it must have a good performance that prevents the overload of other services and that requires experience and continuous adjustments in search of proper protocols. The aim of this review is to shed some light on some key points of neonatal hearing screening, highlighting our experience in the solutions to common problems. We will discuss about techniques, protocols and neonatal or nutritional factors that can influence the screening results. To a summary of our work, an update on the subject is provided with the intention of sharing experiences and facilitating the start-up of the new units.

Pandemia por COVID-19 y su repercusión sobre las hospitalizaciones por bronquiolitis en el Centro y Este de España / Consequences of COVID-19 pandemic over acute bronchiolitis hospitalizations in the center and east of Spain

Introducción: Las intervenciones no farmacológicas puestas en marcha en territorios del hemisferio sur tras la declaración de la pandemia por COVID-19 en marzo de 2020, han puesto de manifiesto toda una serie de cambios inesperados en la propagación de otros virus. Dentro del proyecto Estudio Colaborativo Español para la Atención de Lactantes Hospitalizados por Bronquiolitis Aguda (ECEALHBA) presentamos este estudio cuyo objetivo ha sido constatar las repercusiones de la pandemia sobre la temporada epidémica de bronquiolitis de 2020 a 2021 en el centro y este de España. Material y métodos: Estudio multicéntrico, observacional, descriptivo y ambispectivo de una muestra de lactantes ingresados por bronquiolitis aguda en alguno de los 16 hospitales españoles participantes en la investigación. Se compararon desde el punto de vista cualitativo y cuantitativo las cinco temporadas epidémicas previas a la pandemia, de 2015 a 2020, con la última de 2020 a 2021. Resultados: Un total de 4.643 lactantes ingresaron en alguno de los hospitales participantes durante el periodo de estudio. Se describe un descenso porcentual de ingresos del 94,1% entre el periodo previo y la temporada epidémica coincidente con la pandemia. Septiembre pasó a ser el mes pico de ingresos en lugar de diciembre y enero como era habitual, con un descenso progresivo de los ingresos a partir de ese momento hasta el final del seguimiento en abril de 2021. El rinovirus, de forma atípica, ha sido el agente responsable de la mayoría de las bronquiolitis en esta última temporada de 2020 a 2021. (AU)

Introduction: Non-pharmaceutical interventions that have been implemented in southern hemisphere countries because of COVID-19 pandemic declaration in March 2020, have evidenced some unexpected changes in the way of spreading of many other viruses. This study as a part of ECEALHBA's Project, reports the consequences of COVID-19 pandemic over 2020–2021 bronchiolitis epidemic period in the Central and Eastern regions of Spain. Method: Multicenter, observational, descriptive and ambispective study of admitted infants with the diagnosis of bronchiolitis in 16 Spanish hospitals involved in the investigation project. Five epidemic periods previous to COVID-19 pandemic, from 2015 to 2020, were compared with the current one, 2020–2021, in both a qualitative and quantitative manner. Results: Total of 4643 infants were admitted to the participating hospitals along the study period. Pandemic season hospital admissions for bronchiolitis were 94.1% lower than in pre-pandemic period. December and January were peak months for bronchiolitis admissions during pre-pandemic period, but September was the peak month during pandemic year. There was a progressive decrease of admissions from this moment until the end of the follow up, in April 2021. Rhinovirus has been the commonest etiology for bronchiolitis in 2020–2021 epidemic period of bronchiolitis. (AU)

Consequences of COVID-19 pandemic over acute bronchiolitis hospitalizations in the center and east of Spain.

INTRODUCTION: Non-pharmaceutical interventions that have been implemented in southern hemisphere countries because of COVID-19 pandemic declaration in March 2020, have evidenced some unexpected changes in the way of spreading of many other viruses. This study as a part of ECEALHBA's Project, reports the consequences of COVID-19 pandemic over 2020-2021 bronchiolitis epidemic period in the Central and Eastern regions of Spain. METHOD: Multicenter, observational, descriptive and ambispective study of admitted infants with the diagnosis of bronchiolitis in 16 Spanish hospitals involved in the investigation project. Five epidemic periods previous to COVID-19 pandemic, from 2015 to 2020, were compared with the current one, 2020-2021, in both a qualitative and quantitative manner. RESULTS: Total of 4643 infants were admitted to the participating hospitals along the study period. Pandemic season hospital admissions for bronchiolitis were 94.1% lower than in pre-pandemic period. December and January were peak months for bronchiolitis admissions during pre-pandemic period, but September was the peak month during pandemic year. There was a progressive decrease of admissions from this moment until the end of the follow-up, in April 2021. Rhinovirus has been the commonest etiology for bronchiolitis in 2020-2021 epidemic period of bronchiolitis. CONCLUSIONS: Some of the non-pharmaceutical interventions initiated because of COVID-19 pandemic are probably related to the dramatic decrease of bronchiolitis cases in 2020-2021 season. It would be rewarding to purpose novel research to clarify how these simple interventions can be useful, close to vaccines and antiviral drugs, to achieve the goal of avoiding the spread of respiratory viruses in pediatric population.

New-born Hearing Screening Programmes in 2020: CODEPEH Recommendations.

Programmes for early detection of congenital hearing loss have been successfully implemented mainly in developed countries, after overcoming some conceptual errors argued against their implementation and some criticism of their efficacy. However, some difficulties and weaknesses are still identified in these programmes: the detection of late-onset hearing loss and the percentage of children who did not pass the screening and did not complete the process of diagnosis and treatment, these being cases that are lost in the process. The purpose of this Document is to analyse these problems to determine areas for improvement and to emphasize one of the basic principles for the success of the programmes: continuous training for the interdisciplinary team. The result of the review process carried out by CODEPEH has been drafted as Recommendations for updating the Programmes with the evidence of the last decade, including advances in screening technology, the impact of the present knowledge on congenital infection by cytomegalovirus, genetic hearing loss research and control systems of lost to follow-up cases, treatment and follow up.

Programas de cribado de la hipoacusia congénita en 2020: recomendaciones CODEPEH / New-born hearing screening programmes in 2020: CODEPEH recommendations

Los programas de detección precoz de la hipoacusia congénita se han extendido de forma exitosa, especialmente en países desarrollados, superando los errores conceptuales argumentados contra su implantación o las críticas a su eficacia. No obstante, aún se identifican algunas dificultades y debilidades: la detección de la hipoacusia de desarrollo tardío y el porcentaje de niños que no pasaron el cribado y no completan el diagnóstico ni el tratamiento, siendo casos que se pierden en el proceso son algunas de ellas.El objetivo del presente documento es analizar estos problemas para determinar puntos de mejora e incidir en un principio básico del éxito de los programas: la formación continuada del equipo interdisciplinario.El resultado del trabajo de revisión llevado a cabo por la CODEPEH se plasma en la formulación de unas recomendaciones orientadas a actualizar los programas con las evidencias aparecidas en la última década, incorporando los progresos de la tecnología, los conocimientos actuales sobre la infección congénita por citomegalovirus y los estudios genéticos de la hipoacusia en los programas, así como los sistemas de control de la pérdida de casos en el proceso, el tratamiento y el seguimiento. (AU)

Programs for early detection of congenital hearing loss have been successfully implemented mainly in developed countries, after overcoming some conceptual errors argued against their implementation and some criticism of their efficacy. However, some difficulties and weaknesses are still identified in these programs: the detection of late-onset hearing loss and the percentage of children who did not pass the screening and did not complete the process of diagnosis and treatment, these being cases that are lost in the process.The purpose of this Document is to analyse these problems to determine areas for improvement and to emphasize one of the basic principles for the success of the programs: continuous training for the interdisciplinary team.The result of the review process carried out by CODEPEH has been drafted as Recommendations for updating the Programs with the evidence of the last decade, including advances in screening technology, the impact of the present knowledge on congenital infection by cytomegalovirus, genetic hearing loss research and control systems of lost to follow-up cases, treatment and follow up. (AU)