[Caloric stimulation in infants]

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Otolaryngology
• Pediatrics

Context:

• Vestibular disorders are common in neonates with sensorineural hearing loss, affecting 20-70% of this population.
• The vestibulo-ocular reflex continuity, originating in the lateral vestibular canal, is assessed using caloric stimulation.
• High-risk infants require specialized diagnostic tools due to the prevalence of hearing and vestibular deficits.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the efficacy of caloric stimulation in assessing vestibular function in high-risk infants.
• To identify the incidence of impaired nystagmic reactions in neonates undergoing caloric testing.
• To determine risk factors associated with vestibular dysfunction in the studied infant population.

Summary:

• Caloric stimulation was performed on 58 high-risk infants (3-6 months) and 27 healthy controls using cold water irrigation.
• A weaker nystagmic reaction to cold water was observed in approximately 34% of the infants studied.
• Impaired reactions were most frequent in infants with perinatal pathology, congenital defects, and those administered aminoglycosides.

Impact:

• Caloric stimulation is a valuable clinical tool for diagnosing separate vestibule function in neonates.
• Findings highlight the need for careful caloric testing in infants, particularly those with identified risk factors for hearing and vestibular issues.
• Recommendations include using cold water and a specialized syringe for improved irrigation of the infant ear canal during testing.