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Early development of brainstem auditory evoked potentials in Down's syndrome
1Department of Child Health, Children's Hospital, Shanghai Medical University, P.R.C.
Insights
This study on children with Down syndrome reveals delayed peripheral hearing development and potential abnormalities in the brainstem auditory pathway. Auditory evoked potentials showed initial deficits that improved with age but persisted in some measures.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Audiology
Background:
- Down syndrome is associated with various developmental challenges.
- The brainstem auditory pathway's development in Down syndrome is not fully understood.
- Early auditory pathway function is crucial for speech and language development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the early development of the brainstem auditory pathway in infants and young children with Down syndrome.
- To assess the incidence of peripheral hearing deficits in this population.
- To track changes in auditory evoked potentials over time.
Main Methods:
- Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials (BAEP) were recorded in 14 children with Down syndrome (1 month to 3 years).
- Tests were conducted longitudinally to observe developmental changes.
- Results were compared to normative data from typically developing children.
Main Results:
- Infants showed elevated BAEP thresholds and poor wave I differentiation, indicating peripheral hearing deficits.
- These deficits improved by age 2, but elevated thresholds persisted in some children.
- Slightly shorter I-V interpeak intervals and smaller wave V amplitudes were observed compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Peripheral hearing development is delayed in children with Down syndrome.
- Abnormalities in brainstem auditory pathway function and development are suggested.
- Persistent hearing deficits cannot be ruled out, necessitating ongoing monitoring.
Abstract:
Early development of brainstem auditory pathway was studied in 14 children with Down's syndrome (age range from 1 month to 3 years). The brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) during infancy was characterized by elevated threshold and poorly differentiated wave I. All children within 2 years had elevated threshold in one or both ears, suggesting a high incidence of peripheral hearing deficits. Follow-up tests showed that as age increased up to 3 years the elevated threshold gradually decreased and the differentiation of wave I improved. The I-V interpeak interval was slightly shorter and the amplitude of wave V was smaller than the normal controls, which existed continuously during follow-up studies. Our findings suggest that the development of peripheral hearing is delayed, although persistent hearing deficits cannot be excluded, and the functioning and development of the brainstem auditory pathway may also be abnormal in Down's syndrome children.