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Perinatal risk factors and preliminary prediction of conductive hearing loss in infancy

Jiao Zhang1,2Minghui Zhao1,3Wei Shi1,2Haina Ding1,2Lan Lan1,2Yun Gao1,2Dayong Wang1,2Qiuju Wang1,2()
Department of Audiology and Vestibular Medicine, Senior Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, the sixth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China
National Clinical Research Center for Otolaryngologic Diseases, Beijing, 100853, China
The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Haangzhou, 310005, Zhejiang, China
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Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the perinatal risk factors for conductive hearing loss (CHL) in infancy and develop an initial prediction model to facilitate accurate diagnosis and early detection of CHL.

Method

This retrospective study utilized data from the Newborn Cohort Study of Hearing Loss (ChiCTR2100049765). Infants who underwent diagnostic audiological assessments at our hospital between January 2003 and June 2024 were included. Data analysis was conducted using R (version 4.4.1) to construct an initial prediction model for CHL in infancy, applying the LASSO regression technique.

Results

A total of 661 infants (1322 ears) were included, with 1253 ears in the normal hearing group and 69 ears in the CHL group. Statistically significant differences were observed between the groups in the following factors: parent-reported infant response to sound, craniofacial deformities, neonatal hemolysis, jaundice treatment, and neonatal hypoglycemia. A multivariate prediction model and nomogram for CHL in infancy were developed and validated, achieving an accuracy of 92.5% and a specificity of 91.3%.

Conclusions

This study identified key risk factors for CHL in infancy and developed a preliminary predictive model, improving the diagnostic accuracy for CHL. Improved diagnostic precision can decrease misdiagnoses, reduce delays in treatment, and limit unnecessary antimicrobial prescriptions for infants.

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Journal of Otology
Cite this article:
Zhang J, Zhao M, Shi W, et al. Perinatal risk factors and preliminary prediction of conductive hearing loss in infancy. Journal of Otology, 2025, https://doi.org/10.26599/JOTO.2025.9540006
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