Mrs Megan Moore1, Dr Jane Fitzgibbons1, Associate Professor Carlie Driscoll2, Dr Rachael Beswick1
1Children’s Health Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, 2University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
The purpose of the presentation: To present the findings of a retrospective analysis of Queensland’s universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS) database specifically looking at children with the identified risk factor of neonatal bacterial meningitis.
The nature and scope of the topic: The study reviewed the outcomes of the universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS) and ongoing hearing monitoring for children following recovery from bacterial meningitis in the neonatal period.
The issue or problem under consideration: The study aimed to determine (a) whether the UNHS is sufficient in detecting permanent childhood hearing loss (PCHL) following neonatal bacterial meningitis and (b) whether infants who pass UNHS should have their hearing monitored throughout childhood.
The outcome or the conclusion reached: The UNHS may be sufficient in detecting PCHL in post-meningitic neonates and routine audiology monitoring may not be required for children who pass the UNHS.
Biography:
Megan works as a clinical audiologist at Children’s Health Queensland, working at both Queensland Children’s Hospital and Healthy Hearing. Over the last 2 years, she has worked with the Healthy Hearing team to analyse Queensland’s universal newborn hearing screening database looking at children with the risk factor of neonatal bacterial meningitis.
Megan has completed a Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Audiology Studies at The University of Queensland. Her email is megan.moore2@health.qld.gov.au.