Effect of Mode of Delivery and Screening Age on Result of Newborn Hearing Screening Test Using Otoacoustic Emissions

Background and False positive in newborn hearing screening increases cost and maternal anxiety. We aimed to evaluate the effect of mode of delivery and screening age on false positive result of first screening test. Identifying and controlling these factors could reduce the rate of false positive tests. In this study, 2784 infants were evaluated by otoacoustic emissions test. The test was performed before hospital discharge. Then, the rates of false-positive were compared in infants born by vaginal delivery and cesarean section based on the screening age. False positive rate in the first screening test in neonates born through vaginal delivery was significantly higher than that of the newborns delivered by cesarean section. The rate of false positive significantly decreased with increase of screening age in infants born by cesarean delivery. Hearing screening test in neonates born through cesarean section should be conducted just prior to hospital discharge. In this way, false positive results could be reduced by about 6 times and the cost and concerns caused by the rate of false positives are also minimized.