OBJECTIVE: To report the cases of children who did not undergo neonatal hearing screening in a Basic Health Unit in the city of Porto Alegre. CASE REPORT: Within 2 months, 4 children (aged 4 months, 9 months, 11 months, and 24 months) were evaluated at the Basic Health Unit and had not previously undergone neonatal hearing screening. When the referral process was investigated, 4 maternity hospitals in Porto Alegre were found to make referrals for Neonatal Hearing Screening, which is offered to babies up to 6 months of age. One of the children evaluated was scheduled for examination at 1 of these hospitals. The other children were sent to a philanthropic entity that is not regulated by the municipal health system for the examinations. CONCLUSION: Based on the reported data, we believe that it is necessary for Neonatal Hearing Screening to be offered and carried out so that babies are screened for the same and that each site creates an effective system for readmission of these newborns. Alternative forms of care are available for children in different situations, and an investigation should be undertaken to determine why these children were not part of the Neonatal Hearing Screening program in their respective places of birth.
