Use of Large Data Sets in Evaluating Program Outcome in Pediatric Hearing Loss

Introduction Permanent hearing loss (PHL) in childhood can profoundly impact development, with high economic costs to children and society. Hearing technology and service delivery advances, including universal newborn hearing screening implemented in Ontario in 2002 as part of the Infant Hearing Program (IHP), aim to improve outcomes of children with PHL. Objectives and Approach We examined the impact of IHP screening on age of identification of PHL, and compared healthcare utilization in children with and without PHL, in the Census Metropolitan Area of Ottawa. Children with PHL, identified from a database at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, were linked to health administrative data housed at the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences. Five residents of Ottawa acted as non-PHL controls for each PHL case. A regression discontinuity design (RDD) was used to investigate differences in age of identification pre- and post-IHP implementation. Poisson regression will compare healthcare utilization among children with and without PHL. Results Receipt of the HBPB was associated with reductions in low birth weight births (adjusted Relative Risk (aRR): 0.77; 95% CI: 0.63, 0.93) and preterm births (aRR: 0.78 (0.68, 0.90)), and increases in breastfeeding initiation (aRR: 1.05 (1.00, 1.09)) and large-for-gestational age births (aRR: 1.11 (1.01, 1.23)). HBPB receipt during pregnancy was also associated with increases in 1- and 2-year immunizations for FN children (aRR: 1.14 (1.09, 1.19), and aRR: 1.28 (1.19, 1.36), respectively). Reductions in the risk of being developmentally vulnerable in the language and cognitive domain of the EDI were also found for FN children whose mothers had received the HBPB during pregnancy (aRR: 0.85 (0.74, 0.97). Conclusion/Implications IHP implementation resulted in earlier identificationof PHL in children, allowing earlier access to audiologic and habilitative services. However, children with PHL used the health system more often and in different ways from those without PHL. These results can support improvements in service delivery for children with PHL

When symptoms don’t fit: a case series of conversion disorder in the pediatric otolaryngology practice

Abstract Background Conversion disorder refers to functional bodily impairments that can be precipitated by high stress situations including trauma and surgery. Symptoms of conversion disorder may mimic or complicate otolaryngology diseases in the pediatric population. Case presentation In this report, the authors describe 3 cases of conversion disorder that presented to a pediatric otolaryngology-head and neck surgery practice. This report highlights a unique population of patients who have not previously been investigated. The clinical presentation and management of these cases are discussed in detail. Non-organic otolaryngology symptoms of conversion disorder in the pediatric population are reviewed. In addition, we discuss the challenges faced by clinicians in appropriately identifying and treating these patients and present an approach to management of their care. Conclusion In this report, the authors highlight the importance of considering psychogenic illnesses in patients with atypical clinical presentations of otolaryngology disorders

Trajectory of hearing loss in children with unilateral hearing loss

Introduction: The aim of this study was to quantify the amount of deterioration in hearing and to document the trajectory of hearing loss in early identified children with unilateral hearing loss (UHL). We also examined whether clinical characteristics were associated with the likelihood of having progressive hearing loss. Methods: As part of the Mild and Unilateral Hearing Loss Study, we followed a population-based cohort of 177 children diagnosed with UHL from 2003 to 2018. We applied linear mixed models to examine hearing trends over time including the average amount of change in hearing. Logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between age and severity at diagnosis, etiology, and the likelihood of progressive loss and amount of deterioration in hearing. Results: The median age of the children at diagnosis was 4.1 months (IQR 2.1, 53.9) and follow-up time was 58.9 months (35.6, 92.0). Average hearing loss in the impaired ear was 58.8 dB HL (SD 28.5). Over the 16-year period, 47.5% (84/177) of children showed deterioration in hearing in one or both ears from their initial diagnostic assessment to most recent assessment including 21 (11.9%) who developed bilateral hearing loss. Average deterioration in the impaired ear ranged from 27 to 31 dB with little variation across frequencies. Deterioration resulted in a change in category of severity for 67.5% (52/77) of the children. Analysis for children who were followed for at least 8 years showed that most lost a significant amount of hearing rapidly in the first 4 years, with the decrease stabilizing and showing a plateau in the last 4 years. Age and severity at diagnosis were not significantly associated with progressive/stable loss after adjusting for time since diagnosis. Etiologic factors (ENT external/middle ear anomalies, inner ear anomalies, syndromic hearing loss, hereditary/genetic) were found to be positively associated with stable hearing loss. Conclusion: Almost half of children with UHL are at risk for deterioration in hearing in one or both ears. Most deterioration occurs within the first 4 years following diagnosis. Most children did not experience sudden “large” drops in hearing but more gradual decrease over time. These results suggest that careful monitoring of UHL especially in the early years is important to ensure optimal benefit from early hearing loss detection.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe