Auditory brainstem maturation in normal-hearing infants born preterm: a meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Pediatrics
• Auditory Neuroscience

Background:

• Preterm birth is associated with increased risk of neurodevelopmental problems.
• Auditory brainstem maturation is crucial for auditory processing and overall development.
• Auditory brainstem response (ABR) latencies can indicate neural pathway function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare auditory brainstem maturation between preterm and term-born infants at term age using a meta-analysis.
• To identify if ABR latencies differ in normal-hearing preterm infants compared to term-born infants.
• To explore the relationship between ABR maturation and factors like gestational age and neonatal intensive care.

Main Methods:

• Meta-analysis of published studies (1995-2014) reporting ABR measurements in preterm and term-born infants.
• Inclusion of case-control studies measuring auditory brainstem response (ABR) latencies at term age.
• Analysis focused on I to V and III to V interpeak latencies, reflecting auditory pathway conduction.

Main Results:

• Significantly longer III to V interpeak latencies observed in preterm-born infants compared to term-born infants (effect size=0.974).
• The I to V interpeak latency was also significantly affected, indicating broader auditory pathway involvement.
• Increased ABR interpeak latencies in preterm infants correlated with lower gestational age and need for neonatal intensive care.

Conclusions:

• Delayed auditory brainstem conduction time at term age suggests atypical maturation in preterm infants.
• Both reduced gestational age and neonatal intensive care negatively impact auditory brainstem maturation.
• These findings highlight potential neurodevelopmental implications of altered auditory brainstem development in preterm infants.