False positives in universal neonatal screening for permanent childhood hearing impairment

Lancet. 2000 Dec 2;356(9245):1903-4. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(00)03267-0.

Abstract

High rates of false-positive neonatal screens for permanent childhood hearing impairment (PCHI) associated with raised hearing thresholds lead to unnecessary assessments of the baby, which may worry parents. False-positive rates need to be reduced, especially in view of the UK government's announcement that national neonatal screening will be introduced. We report screening criteria that give a six-fold reduction in false-positive rates.

Publication types

  • Letter
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Deafness / diagnosis*
  • Deafness / physiopathology
  • Evoked Potentials, Auditory
  • Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem
  • False Positive Reactions
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Neonatal Screening / methods*