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

• Published in: International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology 2024-12, Vol.188, p.112191, Article 112191
• Main Authors: Sheehan, Jane, Jagger, Alison, Francis, Kate L., Dashti, S. Ghazaleh, Gornall, Patrick, Barker, Melinda, Sung, Valerie, Ruiz-Carmona, Sergio, Baohm, Susan, Poulakis, Zeffie
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Congenital hearing loss; COVID-19; Diagnostic audiology; Infant hearing; Newborn hearing screening; Pregnancy
• ISSN: 0165-5876; 1872-8464; 1872-8464
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2024.112191

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. 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. 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). 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. •First epidemiological study of COVID-19 in pregnancy and congenital hearing loss.•Largest study to date.•Hearing screen and diagnostic audiology outcomes of infants investigated.•No effect of COVID-19 in pregnancy on risk of congenital hearing loss in infants.•Trimester of COVID-19 infection and number of infections did not impact findings.