Effect of gentamicin on the auditory brainstem evoked response in term infants: a preliminary report

Seven essentially healthy term infants who received gentamicin starting on the 1st day of life for prolonged rupture of membranes and maternal fever were compared with nine healthy term infants to determine whether this drug induces alterations in the auditory pathway. The auditory pathway was studied on the 3rd day of life by analyzing brainstem auditory evoked potentials elicited by a click stimulus presented at the infant's ears. Latencies of components III and V, interval I-III, and interval I-V were significantly prolonged in the gentamicin group, indicating impairment of the central component of the auditory pathway. Peak and trough serum gentamicin levels all fell within the recommended therapeutic range. The study indicates that short course gentamicin therapy in healthy newborn infants can lead to abnormality of auditory function.