SENSORINEURAL HEARING-LOSS IN SURVIVORS OF NEONATAL EXTRACORPOREAL MEMBRANE-OXYGENATION

From February 1989 to January 1994, nine of 63 (14.3%) survivors of ne onatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation developed bilateral sensori neural hearing loss. Seven of nine children were tested and passed ini tial or repeat clinical auditory brainstem response evaluation complet ed before discharge from neonatal intensive care. Hearing loss was sus pected and confirmed between 6-36 and 10-48 months of age, respectivel y. We recommend regular audiologic follow-up for these high-risk infan ts until bilateral thresholds for hearing can be obtained.