Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials in Fullterm and Preterm Newborns with Hyperbilirubinemia and Hypoxemia

Abstract

Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) were studied in 93 newborns (49 preterm and 44 fullterm) admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. One group of 42 infants (28-42 wk CA) were considered at low risk for perinatal complications and served to establish the normal ranges of the BAEP parameters (wave I peak latency and wave I-V interwave interval). Two groups of high risk infants were studied during or shortly following clinically significant hyperbilirubinemia (31 infants) or hypoxemia (20 infants). Though statistically significant BAEP abnormalities were found in the high risk infants, these consisted predominantly of wave I latency prolongations in hypoxemic infants (p less than 0.05) indicating dysfunction in peripheral auditory processes. No significant increases in the wave I-V interval (central conduction time) were found in the high risk infants to suggest central auditory dysfunction in the brainstem. These findings are discussed in relation to previous studies of hyperbilirubinemic and hypoxemic infants.

Increased Wave Latency in Auditory Brainstem Response to Anemia in Newborn and Adult Sheep

“…The authors suggested that this was due to poorly oxygenated tissue as a result of reduced blood flow as a consequence of thrombosis and/or of anemia-induced diminished oxygen-carrying capacity. Prolonged ABR wave latencies have also been observed in post-hypoxemic preterm and full-term neonates [16].…”

Neural conduction impairment in the auditory brainstem and the prevalence in term babies in neonatal intensive care unit

“…For BAER studies in NICU term babies, there are previous reports in conventional BAER, mainly related to hypoxia-ischemia and hyperbilirubinemia (Akinpelu et al, 2013;Hecox et al, 1981;Newton, 2001;Streletz et al, 1986;Wilkinson and Jiang, 2006). So far, there are very few reports on MLS BAER in term babies, mainly in those who had perinatal hypoxia-ischemia (Jiang et al, 2003(Jiang et al, , 2010.…”

Newborn Auditory Brainstem Evoked Responses (ABRs): Prenatal and Contemporary Correlates

“…The most common criterion for asphyxia was a 1-or 5-min Apgar score of less than 6; however, some investigators used more stringent criteria and included only those with lower Apgar scores who also needed to be intubated, ventilated, or both for varying periods of time after birth. Statistical controls for conceptional age were used in only one study with positive findings (Streletz et al, 1986). Statistical controls for conceptional age were used in only one study with positive findings (Streletz et al, 1986).…”

“…Cox et al (1984) and Ito (1984) reported no relation in their samples. Streletz et al (1986), who used acidosis as one of the defining criteria for his asphyxiated group, reported more peripheral ABR abnormalities (prolonged latencies of Wave I) among his asphyxiated group.…”

“…Hyperbilirubinemia.-In the 1940s and 1950s, vulnerability of the auditory pathways to bilirubin toxicity was documented in pathological studies (Streletz et al, 1986).…”