National Obstetrics Hospital will check new-born babies for hearing impairments under a trial programme to begin this month, according to Dr Nguyen Cong Nghia, head of the hospital’s Research and Training Division.
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| A nurse cares for a premature infant at the Thanh Hoa Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital in the northern province of Thanh Hoa |
Nghia said the scans to detect hearing defects would be reviewed for wider application after one month. This type of service has already been available.
He said hearing-impairments occurred in up to 2 out of every 100 new-born babies.
"The scans will help check the hearing of new-born babies and ensure timely treatment if any hearing impairments are discovered," he said.
The scans should be carried out no later than three days after a baby’s birth, while preventative procedures should be carried out in the first six months. Nghia said hearing impairments found in children who are two years old or older are a lot more difficult to correct.
Vietnam has about 500,000 people suffering from hearing impairments, with the rate among children reaching as high as 5 per cent. There are no official figures on the rate among new-borns, Nghia said.
The causes of hearing impairment in new-borns are thought to include complications during pregnancy and genetics.
"Scans should be carried out for all new-born babies," said Nghia.
The scanning process would cause no pain to the child or any side effects. If there are signs of a hearing impairment, medical experts will give a detailed diagnosis and offer treatment alternatives.
The cost of a scan, yet to be set, should be between VND100,000 to VND120,000 (US$5-6).
Nghia said the hospital would also set up a hot-line for concerned parents to provide consultancy and answers to questions relating to the scanning programme.
He said hearing-impairments occurred in up to 2 out of every 100 new-born babies.
"The scans will help check the hearing of new-born babies and ensure timely treatment if any hearing impairments are discovered," he said.
The scans should be carried out no later than three days after a baby’s birth, while preventative procedures should be carried out in the first six months. Nghia said hearing impairments found in children who are two years old or older are a lot more difficult to correct.
Vietnam has about 500,000 people suffering from hearing impairments, with the rate among children reaching as high as 5 per cent. There are no official figures on the rate among new-borns, Nghia said.
The causes of hearing impairment in new-borns are thought to include complications during pregnancy and genetics.
"Scans should be carried out for all new-born babies," said Nghia.
The scanning process would cause no pain to the child or any side effects. If there are signs of a hearing impairment, medical experts will give a detailed diagnosis and offer treatment alternatives.
The cost of a scan, yet to be set, should be between VND100,000 to VND120,000 (US$5-6).
Nghia said the hospital would also set up a hot-line for concerned parents to provide consultancy and answers to questions relating to the scanning programme.
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