Effect of type of delivery and anesthesia method to ABR results on newborn hearing screening.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to examine the effect of type of delivery and anesthesia method on the screening ABR test results of newborns within the scope of the Newborn Hearing Screening Program (NHCP) and to investigate the relationship between the test results and the relevant variables.

Methods: 441 newborns were included in the study. Of these newborns, 221 constituted the control group (normal (vaginal) delivery), and 220 constituted the study group (cesarean section, delivery). In the study, all newborns whose hearing was evaluated within the scope of the Newborn Screening Program were screened twice. Screening ABR test results applied were compared considering the type of delivery (normal (vaginal) or cesarean section) and anesthesia method (spinal or general). The effects of variables such as the duration of the baby's separation (dissection) from the mother's womb, the duration of exposure to the anesthetic agent and the total duration of the surgical procedure were examined.

Results: As a result of the study, a statistically significant relationship was found between delivery type (normal (vaginal) or cesarean section) and anesthesia method (spinal or general) and first screening ABR test results (p < 0.001). While there was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) in terms of separation time from the mother's womb (p < 0.001) and exposure to an anesthetic agent among the first test screening ABR results of newborns born under general anesthesia, there was no statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) in terms of total surgical procedure time (p = 0.106) no difference was detected. There was no statistically significant difference between ABR test results and these three variables in newborns born under spinal anesthesia (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: The type of delivery newborns and the anesthesia method used at delivery may affect the results of screening ABR applied within the scope of a newborn hearing screening protocol. For this reason, it is very important to perform screening tests at the most appropriate and correct time.