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Brainstem auditory response findings in late preterm infants in neonatal intensive care unit
Author(s) -
Jiang Ze D,
Zhou Yi,
Ping Li L.,
Wilkinson Andrew R
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2011.02232.x
Subject(s) - medicine , neonatal intensive care unit , brainstem , auditory brainstem response , gestation , gestational age , pediatrics , audiology , auditory pathways , intensive care , anesthesia , pregnancy , hearing loss , intensive care medicine , biology , genetics
Aim: To examine brainstem auditory function at term in late preterm infants admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: Fifty‐two preterm infants, born at 33–36 week gestation, were recruited in an NICU and were studied at term using brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER). Results: Compared with normal term infants, BAER wave V latency in the NICU preterm infants was increased at 51 and 91/sec (p < 0.05, 0.05). Intervals of III–V and I–V were increased at all 21, 51 and 91/sec clicks (p < 0.05–0.01), which was more significant at higher than lower rates. Interval ratio of III–V/I–III was increased significantly at 51 and 91/sec (p < 0.05 and 0.01). Wave I and III latencies and I–III interval did not differ significantly from normal controls at any click rates. All amplitudes of waves I, III and V amplitude tended to be reduced at higher rates, while wave I amplitude was reduced significantly at 91/sec clicks. Conclusion: There were BAER abnormalities in the NICU late preterm infants, suggesting compromised brainstem auditory function. Compared with a basically normal BAER in low‐risk late preterm infants previously reported, the abnormalities suggest that perinatal problems or complications adversely affect the late preterm auditory brainstem.