E-ISSN 1658-8223 | ISSN 1658-645X
 

Original Article 


Prevalence and Causes of Neonatal Hearing Loss and Follow-Up Default in a Cohort from Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Analysis

Hanan Ibrahim Almuzaini, Khaled Shahat, Sara Ibrahim Almuzaini, Badr Eyad Hafiz, Nora Tarq Alreefi, Reham Khaled Hawalh.


Abstract
Background and Aims:
The Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS) program in Saudi Arabia has proven instrumental in curbing the burden of neonatal hearing loss in the country. Recent studies from Saudi Arabia have shown a high rate of neonatal hearing loss and follow up default, along with poor awareness among parents, in the Madina region of the country. The study aimed to investigate the prevalence and causes of neonatal hearing loss and follow-up default, among newborns screened at the Children and Maternity Hospital in Madina, Saudi Arabia.

Methods:
All 500 neonates who were born at the hospital from January 2021 to January 2022, and underwent UNHS were included. Prevalence and causes were expressed as descriptive statistics. A chi-square test was used to correlate clinical risk factors with the occurrence of neonatal hearing loss. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:
The prevalence of neonatal hearing loss was 1.2%, with 17.8% follow-up default. Exposure to ototoxic drugs, low birth weight, craniofacial anomalies, neonatal intensive care unit admission, maternal age >30 years, and hereditary risk showed a statistically significant correlation with neonatal hearing loss. Transportation difficulties (33.7%), lack of education (28.7%) and poor economic condition (21.8%) were the top causes of follow-up default.

Conclusions:
The study reiterates the dire need to raise awareness among parents of newborns regarding the detrimental effects of neonatal hearing loss, the importance of the UNHS program and the necessity for complete follow-up. A wider and more efficient network of screening and referral centers is needed. Research studies conducted at individual institutions can help identify and address the inadequacies of the UNHS program at a grassroots level.

Key words: Neonatal Hearing Loss, UNHS, Follow-Up Default, Saudi Arabia


 
ARTICLE TOOLS
Abstract
PDF Fulltext
How to cite this articleHow to cite this article
Citation Tools
Related Records
 Articles by Hanan Ibrahim Almuzaini
Articles by Khaled Shahat
Articles by Sara Ibrahim Almuzaini
Articles by Badr Eyad Hafiz
Articles by Nora Tarq Alreefi
Articles by Reham Khaled Hawalh
on Google
on Google Scholar


How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Almuzaini HI, Shahat K, Almuzaini SI, Hafiz BE, Alreefi NT, Hawalh RK. Prevalence and Causes of Neonatal Hearing Loss and Follow-Up Default in a Cohort from Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Analysis. Majmaah J Heal Sci. 2025; 13(1): 64-76. doi:10.5455/mjhs.2025.01.007


Web Style

Almuzaini HI, Shahat K, Almuzaini SI, Hafiz BE, Alreefi NT, Hawalh RK. Prevalence and Causes of Neonatal Hearing Loss and Follow-Up Default in a Cohort from Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Analysis. https://www.mjhs-mu.org/?mno=207001 [Access: January 20, 2025]. doi:10.5455/mjhs.2025.01.007


AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Almuzaini HI, Shahat K, Almuzaini SI, Hafiz BE, Alreefi NT, Hawalh RK. Prevalence and Causes of Neonatal Hearing Loss and Follow-Up Default in a Cohort from Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Analysis. Majmaah J Heal Sci. 2025; 13(1): 64-76. doi:10.5455/mjhs.2025.01.007



Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Almuzaini HI, Shahat K, Almuzaini SI, Hafiz BE, Alreefi NT, Hawalh RK. Prevalence and Causes of Neonatal Hearing Loss and Follow-Up Default in a Cohort from Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Analysis. Majmaah J Heal Sci. (2025), [cited January 20, 2025]; 13(1): 64-76. doi:10.5455/mjhs.2025.01.007



Harvard Style

Almuzaini, H. I., Shahat, . K., Almuzaini, . S. I., Hafiz, . B. E., Alreefi, . N. T. & Hawalh, . R. K. (2025) Prevalence and Causes of Neonatal Hearing Loss and Follow-Up Default in a Cohort from Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Analysis. Majmaah J Heal Sci, 13 (1), 64-76. doi:10.5455/mjhs.2025.01.007



Turabian Style

Almuzaini, Hanan Ibrahim, Khaled Shahat, Sara Ibrahim Almuzaini, Badr Eyad Hafiz, Nora Tarq Alreefi, and Reham Khaled Hawalh. 2025. Prevalence and Causes of Neonatal Hearing Loss and Follow-Up Default in a Cohort from Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Analysis. Majmaah Journal of Health Sciences, 13 (1), 64-76. doi:10.5455/mjhs.2025.01.007



Chicago Style

Almuzaini, Hanan Ibrahim, Khaled Shahat, Sara Ibrahim Almuzaini, Badr Eyad Hafiz, Nora Tarq Alreefi, and Reham Khaled Hawalh. "Prevalence and Causes of Neonatal Hearing Loss and Follow-Up Default in a Cohort from Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Analysis." Majmaah Journal of Health Sciences 13 (2025), 64-76. doi:10.5455/mjhs.2025.01.007



MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Almuzaini, Hanan Ibrahim, Khaled Shahat, Sara Ibrahim Almuzaini, Badr Eyad Hafiz, Nora Tarq Alreefi, and Reham Khaled Hawalh. "Prevalence and Causes of Neonatal Hearing Loss and Follow-Up Default in a Cohort from Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Analysis." Majmaah Journal of Health Sciences 13.1 (2025), 64-76. Print. doi:10.5455/mjhs.2025.01.007



APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Almuzaini, H. I., Shahat, . K., Almuzaini, . S. I., Hafiz, . B. E., Alreefi, . N. T. & Hawalh, . R. K. (2025) Prevalence and Causes of Neonatal Hearing Loss and Follow-Up Default in a Cohort from Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Analysis. Majmaah Journal of Health Sciences, 13 (1), 64-76. doi:10.5455/mjhs.2025.01.007





Most Viewed Articles
Most Accessed Articles

  • Prevalence and Risk Factors of Hypercholesterolemia in Majmaah, Saudi Arabia
    Khalid El Tohami Medani, Mohammed Abdullah Al Mansour, Elsadig Yousif Mohamed, Fahad Alfhaid, Talal Shakhs Alghamdi, Waqas Sami, Sawsan Mustafa Abdalla, Mansour Khater Al Zahrani
    Majmaah J Heal Sci. 2018; 6(1): 34-41
    » Abstract » doi: 10.5455/mjhs.2018.01.006

  • Physical Therapy Intervention in Post Stroke Shoulder Subluxation: A Narrative Review
    Mazen Alqahtani
    Majmaah J Heal Sci. 2018; 6(1): 48-60
    » Abstract » doi: 10.5455/mjhs.2018.01.008

  • Gentamicin induced neurodegenerative changes in auditory cortex of adult Albino rats
    Rehan M Asad, Moattar R Rizvi, Sami Waqas, Kamran Afzal
    Majmaah J Heal Sci. 2013; 1(1): 11-17
    » Abstract » doi: 10.12816/0004766

  • Parental Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Antibiotic use for Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Children
    Khaled Al-Dossari
    Majmaah J Heal Sci. 2013; 1(1): 33-45
    » Abstract » doi: 10.12816/0004769

  • Prevalence of Hypertriglyceridemia in Patients Attending Primary Health Care Centers in Majmaah, Saudi Arabia
    Fahad Alfhaid
    Majmaah J Heal Sci. 2018; 6(1): 10-16
    » Abstract » doi: 10.5455/mjhs.2018.01.003

  • Most Downloaded
    Top Downloaded Articles

  • Medical Waste Management Survey in Primary Health Care Centers, Saudi Arabia
    Eltigani O.M Omer, Ali S. R. Alsubaie
    Majmaah J Heal Sci. 2017; 5(1): 7-22
    » Abstract » doi: 10.5455/mjhs.2017.01.003

  • Wet cupping (Hijama) positively and significantly impacted multiple hematological parameters
    Abdulraheem Alshareef, Ahmad Khalaf Alsaedi, Ahmad Abdulaziz Alnakhli, Abdulrahman Amer Albeladi, Raed Saad AlHejili, Mohammed Siddig Younis
    Majmaah J Heal Sci. 2021; 9(2): 98-112
    » Abstract » doi: 10.5455/mjhs.2021.02.011

  • Prevalence & Perception of CAM Usage in Majmaah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
    Syed Yousaf Kazmi, Waqas Sami, Saud Ibnsaut Alharbi, Meshaal almeshaal, Anas Alzahrani, Fahad Alyousif, Osama Alenezi
    Majmaah J Heal Sci. 2018; 6(2): 50-61
    » Abstract » doi: 10.5455/mjhs.2018.02.007

  • Physical Therapy Intervention in Post Stroke Shoulder Subluxation: A Narrative Review
    Mazen Alqahtani
    Majmaah J Heal Sci. 2018; 6(1): 48-60
    » Abstract » doi: 10.5455/mjhs.2018.01.008

  • Food Poisoning Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice of Students in Majmaah University
    Saeed Saleh Banawas
    Majmaah J Heal Sci. 2019; 7(2): 1-13
    » Abstract » doi: 10.5455/mjhs.2019.02.002

  • Most Cited Articles
    Most Cited Articles

  • Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Parents towards Childhood Vaccination
    Jamman Al-Zahrani
    Majmaah J Heal Sci. 2013; 1(1): 23-32
    » Abstract » doi: 10.12816/0004768
    Cited : 58 times [Click to see citing articles]

  • Parental Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Antibiotic use for Upper Respiratory Tract Infections in Children
    Khaled Al-Dossari
    Majmaah J Heal Sci. 2013; 1(1): 33-45
    » Abstract » doi: 10.12816/0004769
    Cited : 30 times [Click to see citing articles]

  • The prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency in Type 2 Diabetic patients
    Mansour Al-Zaharani
    Majmaah J Heal Sci. 2013; 1(1): 18-22
    » Abstract » doi: 10.12816/0004767
    Cited : 18 times [Click to see citing articles]

  • Effect of Aerobic Exercises on Blood Pressure in Mild and Moderate Hypertensive Middle-aged and Older Patients
    Abu Shaphe, Irshad Ahmad, Faizan Z Kashoo, Shadabuddin
    Majmaah J Heal Sci. 2013; 1(1): 46-52
    » Abstract » doi: 10.12816/0004770
    Cited : 7 times [Click to see citing articles]

  • Tuberculosis Time bomb - A Global Emergency: Need for Alternative Vaccines
    Manzoor Ahmad Mir, Raid Al-baradie
    Majmaah J Heal Sci. 2013; 1(1): 77-82
    » Abstract » doi: 10.12816/0004774
    Cited : 4 times [Click to see citing articles]

  • Attitudes and Knowledge about Evidence-Based Practice among Saudi Postgraduate Nursing Students
    Bader A Alrasheadi
    Majmaah J Heal Sci. 2023; 11(1): 113-124
    » Abstract » doi: 10.5455/mjhs.2023.01.010
    Cited : 3 times [Click to see citing articles]

  • Assessment of Pre and Post dental treatment Anxiety among Saudi Arabian population
    Abdulrahman Alatram
    Majmaah J Heal Sci. 2014; 2(1): 21-25
    » Abstract » doi: 10.12816/0004780
    Cited : 3 times [Click to see citing articles]

  • Knowledge, Perceptions, and Practice of Artificial Intelligence among Medical Students and Doctors at King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia
    Hamed Abdullah Alwadaani
    Majmaah J Heal Sci. 2024; 12(1): 142-157
    » Abstract » doi: 10.5455/mjhs.2024.01.013
    Cited : 2 times [Click to see citing articles]

  • Public Knowledge About Hijamah, Attitudes, Beliefs and Impact on Health-Related Quality of Life in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
    Amjad Olayan Alharbi, Mohammed AlDosari, Haifa Bin Dokhi, Shaddin Alaskar, Yusra Sajid Chachar
    Majmaah J Heal Sci. 2023; 11(1): 16-28
    » Abstract » doi: 10.5455/mjhs.2023.01.003
    Cited : 2 times [Click to see citing articles]

  • Influence of Perceived Academic related Stress on Academic Performance of Medical Students - A Cross Sectional Study
    Sulaiman Almutairi
    Majmaah J Heal Sci. 2024; 12(3): 15-25
    » Abstract » doi: 10.5455/mjhs.2024.03.003
    Cited : 2 times [Click to see citing articles]

  • Social Media Effects on the Academic Performance of Undergraduate Medical Students in KSA
    Marwa Ahmed El Naggar, Abdullah N. Alrasheedi, Reema Faisal Almutairi, Lora Btail Alrwaily, Njood khalifa Alruwaili, Ghida Abdullah Alruwaili, Wogood Ghazi Alruwaili, Razan Mufreh Al-Daghmani
    Majmaah J Heal Sci. 2024; 12(1): 41-55
    » Abstract » doi: 10.5455/mjhs.2024.01.005
    Cited : 2 times [Click to see citing articles]

  • Inverse correlation of Interferon-gamma and CD8+ T Lymphocytes in Tuberculosis Patients
    Nadeem Afzal, Khursheed Javaid, Shahid Hussain, Saleem-uz-Zaman Adahmi, Waqas Sami, Ihtzaz Ahmed Malik
    Majmaah J Heal Sci. 2014; 2(1): 15-20
    » Abstract » doi: 10.12816/0004779
    Cited : 2 times [Click to see citing articles]

  • Medical Hypnosis – A Poorly Understood Therapeutic Modality
    Riaz Qureshi
    Majmaah J Heal Sci. 2013; 1(1): 1-4
    » Abstract » doi: 10.12816/0004764
    Cited : 1 time [Click to see citing article]

  • Does the Saudi Population Have Awareness and Perception Regarding New Treatment Options Other than Medications For Migraine?
    AbdulMajeed AlHadlaq, Omar Alamri, Jalwi Lazher, Faisal Obeid
    Majmaah J Heal Sci. 2023; 11(2): 80-90
    » Abstract » doi: 10.5455/mjhs.2023.02.008
    Cited : 1 time [Click to see citing article]

  • Prevalence and Factors Related to Anxiety and Depression among Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Riyadh
    Alanoud Suliman Alshabanat, Mohammad AlShammri, Amani Saleh Aldakheelallah, Majdi shadi salahie, Renad Faisal Althobaiti, Salma Mannaa Alanazi, Turki Melfi Alharbi
    Majmaah J Heal Sci. 2023; 11(2): 27-39
    » Abstract » doi: 10.5455/mjhs.2023.02.004
    Cited : 1 time [Click to see citing article]