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. 2022 Jul-Aug;43(4):103484.
doi: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2022.103484. Epub 2022 May 4.

COVID-19 during pregnancy and its impact on the developing auditory system

Sangamanatha Ankmnal Veeranna  1 , Patricia LeeAnn Youngblood  1 , Lucy Bradshaw  1 , Charles G Marx  2
Affiliations

COVID-19 during pregnancy and its impact on the developing auditory system

Sangamanatha Ankmnal Veeranna et al. Am J Otolaryngol. 2022 Jul-Aug.

Abstract

Background: This study compared distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) and click-evoked auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) recorded from infants whose mother had Covid-19 during pregnancy (Covid-19 group) to infants whose mother did not have Covid-19 (Control group) during pregnancy.

Methods: This study retrospectively examined records of infants in the Covid-19 group (n = 15) and control group (n = 46) who had distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) and click-evoked auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) recorded as part of their clinical assessment. DPOAE amplitudes, absolute latencies (I, III, and V), and I-V interpeak intervals were examined.

Results: DPOAE amplitudes were similar between the Covid-19 group and the control group. The absolute latency of wave I was similar between groups. But absolute latencies III and V and I-V interpeak intervals of the Covid-19 group were significantly prolonged compared to the control group.

Conclusion: Covid-19 infection and its complications during pregnancy may not affect the cochlear function but may affect the functioning of the auditory brainstem.

Keywords: Auditory brainstem responses; Covid-19; Distortion product otoacoustic emissions.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Mothers who were Covid-19 positive and their associated symptoms and days of reported illness.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
DPOAE amplitudes are plotted as a function of test frequency for the right and left ear for both groups. Error bars around the mean represents standard error.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Absolute latencies are plotted for the right and left ear for both groups. Error bars around the mean represents standard error.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
I-V interpeak interval plotted for right and left ear for both groups. Error bars around the mean represents standard error.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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