Naslov
Inventory of current EU paediatric vision and hearing screening programmes

Autori
Sloot, Frea ; Hoeve, Hans LJ ; de Kroon, Marlou LA ; , Hans LJ , Marlou LA de Kroon, Goedegebure, Andre ; Carlton, Jill ; Griffiths, Helen J ; Simonsz, Huibert J ; EUSEREEN study group

Kolaboracija
EUS€REEN study group

Izvornik
Journal of medical screening (0969-1413) 22 (2015), 2; 55-64

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
screening, vision, hearing, EU, prevention, paediatric

Sažetak
Objective: To examine the diversity in paediatric vision and hearing screening programmes in Europe. Methods: Themes for comparison of screening programmes derived from literature were used to compile three questionnaires on vision, hearing, and public health screening. Tests used, professions involved, age, and frequency of testing seem to influence sensitivity, specificity, and costs most. Questionnaires were sent to ophthalmologists, orthoptists, otolaryngologists, and audiologists involved in paediatric screening in all EU full-member, candidate, and associate states. Answers were crosschecked. Results: Thirty-nine countries participated ; 35 have a vision screening programme, 33 a nation- wide neonatal hearing screening programme. Visual acuity (VA) is measured in 35 countries, in 71% of these more than once. First measurement of VA varies from three to seven years of age, but is usually before age five. At age three and four, picture charts, including Lea Hyvarinen, are used most ; in children over four, Tumbling-E and Snellen. As first hearing screening test, otoacoustic emission is used most in healthy neonates, and auditory brainstem response in premature newborns. The majority of hearing testing programmes are staged ; children are referred after 1–4 abnormal tests. Vision screening is performed mostly by paediatricians, ophthalmologists, or nurses. Funding is mostly by health insurance or state. Coverage was reported as >95% in half of countries, but reporting was often not first-hand. Conclusion: Largest differences were found in VA charts used (12), professions involved in vision screening (10), number of hearing screening tests before referral (1–4), and funding sources (8).

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Kliničke medicinske znanosti, Javno zdravstvo i zdravstvena zaštita

POVEZANOST RADA