Brainstem auditory response findings in term neonates in intensive care unit

Abstract

Objectives: Whether term infants in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) have brainstem auditory abnormalities remains to be determined. This study aimed to detect any abnormality in brainstem auditory function in term neonates who are admitted to NICU. Methods: From a NICU, we recruited 55 term neonates with various perinatal problems. They were studied during the first week after birth using brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER), and the results were compared with normal term controls. Results: Wave I and III latencies and I–III interpeak interval of the evoked response in the NICU term neonates were similar to those in the controls. Wave V latency and I–V and III–V interpeak intervals tended to be increased at 21/s clicks. The increase was more obvious at higher rates 51 and 91/s. Analysis of variance revealed that at 21/s clicks only III–V interval was significantly increased (p < 0.05). At 51 and 91/s clicks, wave V latency and III–V and I–V intervals were significantly increased (p < 0.05–0.01). The rates of the abnormalities were seen more at higher than at lower click rates. The amplitudes of waves I, III, and V in the NICU neonates were all slightly reduced, but none differed significantly from the controls. Conclusions: There are some abnormalities in BAER in term neonates in NICU, suggesting functional abnormality in the auditory brainstem in NICU infants.

Keywords::

• Brainstem auditory function
• evoked potentials
• neonatal brain damage
• neonatal intensive care

Acknowledgements

We thank Ms Dorothea M. Brosi for her assistance in patient enrolment and BAER recording. Thanks are also given to the parents of the subjects for their understanding and enthusiastic support of the research.

Declaration of Interest:This research was supported by Deafness Research and Medical Research Fund of Oxford University. The authors report no conflicts of interest.