Effects of malnutrition and sensory-motor stimulation on auditory evoked potentials.

Abstract

There is evidence that the auditory evoked potential (AEP) is altered by malnutrition both in laboratory animals and in humans. The objective of the present study was to determine whether changes in the AEP caused by malnutrition could be reversed by nutritional rehabilitation and sensorymotor and environmental stimulation during hospitalization. Six children aged 5-33 months with severe malnutrition (kwashiorkor, marasmus and marasmic-kwashiorkor) were admitted to the Pediatric Ward of a University Hospital. Normal age and sex-matched children from the hospital day-care center were enrolled as a control group. The AEP was tested in an electrically and acoustically isolated room using a Nicolet CA 2000 microcomputer. Clicks of 90; 80; 70 and 60 dBn HL were presented through earphones. The results suggest that malnutrition leads to an increase in wave I latencies in patients with marasmus, and in waves I, III and V in those with kwashiorkor or marasmic-kwashiorkor type at 90 dB HL. At discharge, all but one patient with kwashiorkor showed reduced latencies of waves I, III and V compared to the values on admission. Despite the small sample, these preliminary results pointed out that the process of sensory stimulation used in our study in a properly directed, systematic and individualized manner showed encouraging results in terms of AEP recovery in these children.

Habilidade auditiva em criança desnutrida

“…Auditory skills are extremely important in the development of language and speech of individuals. The development of these skills depends on processes that involve complex nerve pathways that can be affected by environmental, social and pathological factors, as described in the literature (1,2,(4)(5)(6)8) In the national and international literature there are few studies (23)(24)(25) that relate to malnutrition and development of the auditory processing skills. However, studies have also found lower performance found in children with malnutrition.…”

The effect of early versus late lipid infusion in parenteral nutrition on the biochemical and cortical auditory evoked potential parameters in preterm neonates

“…While numerous studies have focused on the anatomical and biochemical changes in the developing brain with malnutrition, few studies have assessed the physiological changes. Taking into account that the most used AEP reaches the level of the brainstem, studies involving higher paths and cortical areas are necessary, focusing on persistence of the effects of malnutrition on higher cortical activity with present and future consequences for development [12]. Our aim was to compare the effect of delayed versus early introduction of intravenous lipid in preterm on the biochemical parameters and on brain development by the cortical auditory evoked potential (CAEP) latency and amplitude.…”