These initiatives are supported by the Integrated University Health and Social Services Center of Mauricie-et-du-Centre-du-Québec (CIUSSS MCQ), in collaboration with the CHU Sainte-Justine and the Fondation pour la Santé du Haut-Saint-Maurice.
The early detection of deafness in newborns project now allows all babies born in Haute-Mauricie to benefit from a simple and rapid test aimed at detecting, from the first weeks of life, hearing loss or congenital deafness. Four clinical nurses from the Multiservice Center were trained by CHU Sainte-Justine to carry out this screening. In the event of worrying results, children are referred to specialized audiology services, then if necessary to otolaryngology.
“In Quebec, between four and six babies out of 1,000 are born with varying degrees of deafness. Early detection makes it possible to intervene quickly and reduce the impacts on their social, cognitive and language development.”
— Laurie Martel, head of department, critical care, general care and birth-family center
According to the website of the Quebec Newborn Deafness Screening Program (PQDSN), deafness can result from a malformation or dysfunction of the external, middle or inner ear. It can affect certain sounds, bass or treble, or all sounds. Some forms of deafness are temporary and can be treated medically, while others are irreversible.
The tests are said to be quick, safe and painless for the baby. In just a few minutes, they provide immediate results, allowing the necessary interventions to be quickly put in place, whether it is a hearing aid or adapted communication strategies in order to fully support the child’s development.
Limitations of screening
Even if the tests are reliable, certain limitations and disadvantages may arise for families:
- Tests may need to be repeated several times.
- A trip to the birth center may be necessary in the baby’s first month of life.
- Sometimes the test is inconclusive, even if the child hears normally.
- Additional testing may be required at a program diagnostic confirmation center.
- Some forms of deafness may go unnoticed during initial screening.
- Hearing loss can appear in the early years, even if screening at birth was successful.
Furthermore, deafness screening is offered free of charge to all newborns in Quebec.
Remote specialized expertise
The second project concerns teleassistance in neonatology. Thanks to this technology, medical teams at La Tuque hospital can now consult specialist doctors from CHU Sainte-Justine remotely by videoconference. Neonatologists thus have access, in real time, to images of the newborn and their vital signs, allowing them to support local teams in the management of complex or critical situations.
For Dr. Michael-Andrew Assaad, neonatologist at CHU Sainte-Justine, telehealth helps reduce geographic isolation and provide rapid access to specialized expertise. This collaboration promotes better care for premature and sick newborns, limits transfers to large centers and supports the development of the skills of local teams.
Thanks to these new features, the health services of Haut-Saint-Maurice now offer expanded support to newborns from the first weeks of life.
