Aim
Caesarean delivery (CD) was associated with a 3.2‐fold higher failure on 1st otoacoustic emissions (OAE) hearing test. We aimed to verify whether postponing 1st OAE beyond 48 h in CD infants decreases hearing screening failure.
Methods
We compared two groups of CD infants as to failure on 1st OAE test: early‐1st OAE (n = 560): 1st OAE at 12‐ to 48‐h‐olds and late‐1st OAE (n = 566): 1st OAE at 48‐ to 132‐h‐olds.
Results
Compared with early‐1st OAE group, the failure rate among late‐1st OAE infants was significantly sixfold lower (20.5% vs. 3.4%), with sixfold lower need for repeated tests: 205 vs. 34 tests/1000 CD neonates (p < 0.001). The failure rate decreased with increasing age in both groups (p < 0.001). Univariate analysis: timing of 1st OAE (late vs. early) was significantly associated with failure on 1st OAE. Multivariable analysis: late (48–132 h) 1st OAE test was associated with a 7.7‐fold lower risk for failure of 1st OAE, OR (95% CI): 0.13 (0.08–0.21).
Conclusion
Among CD infants, the risk for failure in late‐1st OAE group (>48 h) was 7.7‐fold lower, with a sixfold lower need for repeated hearing tests. Delaying 1st OAE in CD infants beyond 48 h of age (preferably between 48 and 132 h) decreases neonatal OAE screening failure.