PURPOSE: To compare the occurrence of risk indicators for hearing loss in children over a period of four years, in a Neonatal Hearing Screening Program. METHODS: Three hundred and eighty-two files of preterm infants born at Hospital São Paulo in the period from 2000 to 2004 were researched. RESULTS: In 2000, 5.9% of the cases showed familiar antecedents and/or consanguinities, while in 2003 this indicator was present in 13.6% of the population. Mechanical ventilation showed significant increase from 24.6% in 2000 to 40.2% of the cases in 2004. The cases of neonatal seizures increased significantly from 4.2% in 2000 to 9.8% in 2004. Congenital infections showed significant decrease from 11.0% in 2000 to 4.3% in 2003. In 2002, only one case of syphilis was observed, demonstrating decrease in the occurrence of such diseases. The occurrence of peri-intraventricular hemorrhage significantly decreased from 15.3% in 2000 to 5% in 2003. Malformation cases decreased from 3.4% in 2000 to 0.7% in 2003. Ototoxicity cases showed significant decrease from 43.2% in 2000 to 30.0% in 2003. CONCLUSION: Statistical analysis revealed significant increase of familiar antecedents for hearing loss, use of mechanical ventilation and neonatal seizures during the period considered. Registers of congenital infections and peri-intraventricular hemorrhage showed significant decrease during the same period. Malformation, low birth weight and ototoxicity cases varied randomly, and some risk indicators didn't present any statistically significant variations.
Hearing loss; Infant, newborn; Risk index; Early diagnosis
