Prediction of Delayed Neurodevelopment in Infants Using Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials and the Bayley II Scales

Abstract

Background: Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) provide an objective analysis of central nervous system function and development in infants. This study proposed to examine the relationship between infant BAEP values at age 6 months, and their neurodevelopment at age 2 years assessed by the mental development indices (MDI), a form of Bayley Scales of Infant Development. We hypothesized that in infants with BAEP values outside normal range, there may be neurodevelopmental delays, as shown by their MDI scores. Methods: An exploratory investigation was conducted using preterm (28-36 weeks gestation; 95 cases) and term infants (≥37 weeks gestation; 100 cases) who were born with specific perinatal conditions. BAEP values were recorded in these infants from 1 to 8 months of age, and compared with MDI scores in these infants at age 2 years. A multivariate linear regressions model was performed to test the associations between all variables and MDI scores. Stratified linear regression was used to test the interactions between gestational age and BAEP values with MDI scores. Significance was determined at a p < 0.05. Results: We found that BAEP values were inversely associated with MDI scores in premature infants (β = −1.89; 95% confidence interval = −3.42 to −0.36), and that the effect of gestational age and BAEP values on the MDI scores is decreased by 1.89 points due to the interaction between these two variables. In premature babies, the lower the BAEP value below the mean, the greater the decrease in MDI score at age 2 years. Asphyxia and lower socioeconomic status in the family were also covariates associated with lower MDI scores at age 2 years. Conclusion: The data provided evidence that BAEP values outside the normal range in premature infants at age 6 months may predict developmental delays in cognitive and motor skills, as shown by MDI scores. We propose that BAEP assessment may be utilized as a potential indicator for neurodevelopment, and suggest that early intellectual Wang et al. Predicting Pediatric Neurodevelopment Using BAEP and public health interventions should be encouraged to enrich neurodevelopment in premature babies with BAEP values outside the normal range.

Study of evoked potentials and early development in premature infants

“…The P-value for AEP wave three was 0.052, indicating a relatively closer statistical signi cance compared with the other SEP and VEP measures. A previous study by Wang et al demonstrated a strong association between AEP and neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants using the Bayley Scale [24].…”

Genetic and phenotypic analysis of 225 Chinese children with developmental delay and/or intellectual disability using whole-exome sequencing

“…But few studies have tested the relationship between hearing loss and the diagnostic rate of DD/ID. Hearing evaluation through subjective tests is difficult in young and uncooperative children, BAEP is reliable and effective tool in this setting [ 35 – 37 ]. Lau WL et al had found the prevalence of hearing deficit in children with Down syndrome in Hong Kong was 36% (18/55) measured by BAEP [ 35 ].…”

“…Lau WL et al had found the prevalence of hearing deficit in children with Down syndrome in Hong Kong was 36% (18/55) measured by BAEP [ 35 ]. BAEP is also used to assess neuronal maturation [ 37 , 38 ]. In our study, 69 children (97.18%) were identified having hearing loss by BAEP and most children had a mild bilateral lesion (Supplementary Table 5).…”

Exploring brainstem auditory evoked potentials and mental development index as early indicators of autism spectrum disorders in high‐risk infants

“…Parental education was assigned as being either compulsory education (<9 years, low level), high school education (9–12 years, middle level), or some college/advanced training (>12 years, high level; du Prel Carroll et al, 2012). Household income was defined as <3000 Yuan/month, 3000–5999 Yuan/month, and ≥6000 Yuan/month three levels, in which 1.00 USD was equal to 6.23 RMB (Yuan) in 2015 (Wang et al, 2020).…”

“…If the infants were unable to sleep, our clinicians would give a mild, calming chloral hydrate enema to the infants for BAEP recordings. As previously detailed (Wang et al, 2020), the recording electrode was placed in the midline of the forehead, and the reference electrode was placed at the bilateral mastoid. Electrode impedance was reduced to <5 kΩ, which was maintained during the session of BAEP recording.…”