Is COVID-19 infection during pregnancy a risk for congenital hearing loss?

Objective: Infections during pregnancy can increase the risk of congenital hearing loss. This population-based study investigated the effect of birthing parent COVID-19 infection during pregnancy on risk of congenital hearing loss in infants.

Methods: Records of infants born in 2022 were reviewed via a retrospective clinical audit of a universal state-wide newborn hearing screening program in Victoria, Australia. The number and timing of COVID-19 infections during pregnancy were collected via self-report at the time of the hearing screen. Infant records (n = 75,330) were divided into birthing parent infection group (n = 25,547, 33.9 %), and non-infection group (n = 49,783, 66.1 %). Group differences in screen and diagnostic audiology results were estimated by general linear regression models with a binomial distribution.

Results: Birthing parent and infant characteristics were similar across groups. Comparable proportions of infants obtained a refer result on their newborn hearing screen, requiring referral to diagnostic audiology (infection group: 1.4 %, 95%CI 1.2-1.5 versus non-infection group: 1.3 %, 95%CI 1.2-1.4). The proportion of infants diagnosed with any type and degree of hearing loss was also similar (infection group: 0.6 %, 95%CI 0.5-0.7 versus non-infection group: 0.6 %, 95%CI 0.6-0.7).

Conclusion: This epidemiological study is the largest to date and demonstrates that infants whose birthing parent reported COVID-19 infection during pregnancy were not at increased risk of obtaining a refer result on their newborn hearing screen, nor at increased risk of congenital hearing loss. Specific protocols or guidelines to manage the newborn hearing screening pathway of infants born to a parent with COVID-19 during pregnancy are not supported by this study's findings.