Neonatal bacterial meningitis: hearing screening and audiological monitoring outcomes.

Objective: This study reviewed the outcomes of universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS) and ongoing hearing monitoring in children following recovery from neonatal bacterial meningitis to determine (a) whether screening may be a suitable alternative to diagnostic audiology for detecting permanent childhood hearing loss (PCHL) and (b) whether infants who pass UNHS should be monitored throughout childhood.

Design: Retrospective analysis of a UNHS database.

Study Sample: Data were extracted from the state-wide UNHS database for all children born in Queensland Australia between 1 September 2004 and 30 June 2020 with the risk factor of bacterial meningitis (in isolation or in combination with other risk factors) identified at the time of the UNHS. This cohort included 231 children.

Results: Results showed that all post-meningitic infants diagnosed with PCHL had a refer result on the UNHS or were medically excluded from screening. Additionally, no cases of PCHL were identified through the targeted surveillance program following a pass result on UNHS.

Conclusions: UNHS may be sufficient to detect PCHL in post-meningitic neonates and routine audiological monitoring may not be required for children who pass the screen.