Development of ABR parameters in a preterm and a term born population
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1Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Insights
Auditory brain stem responses (ABR) in preterm infants showed longer absolute latencies than full term infants up to age two. However, ABR maturation rates are similar, suggesting otitis media influences preterm ABR results.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
- Audiology
Background:
- Auditory brain stem responses (ABR) are crucial for assessing auditory pathway function in infants.
- Understanding ABR maturation in preterm versus full-term infants is vital for early detection of hearing impairments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare auditory brain stem response (ABR) maturation between full-term and unselected preterm infants.
- To investigate the impact of prematurity on ABR wave latencies and I-V delay up to five years of age.
Main Methods:
- Recorded auditory brain stem responses (ABR) in 465 full-term and 178 preterm infants across multiple age groups from birth to 5 years.
- Analyzed absolute latencies of waves I and V, wave I-V delay, and wave V to I amplitude ratio.
Main Results:
- Preterm infants exhibited significantly longer mean absolute latencies for waves I and V compared to full-term infants until approximately 2 years of age.
- No significant differences were found in the wave I-V delay or the wave V to I amplitude ratio between the two groups.
- The rate of ABR maturation was comparable between preterm and full-term infants.
Conclusions:
- Prematurity does not alter the intrinsic maturation rate of auditory brain stem responses (ABR).
- Observed differences in absolute ABR latencies in preterm infants may be attributed to a higher incidence of otitis media.
- ABR remains a valuable tool for monitoring auditory development in both preterm and full-term infants.
Abstract:
Auditory brain stem responses were recorded in full term infants (N = 465) and in unselected preterm infants (N = 178) who were tested in, respectively, 10 and 12 age groups from birth until 5 yr. The latencies of waves I and V as well as the wave I-wave V delay and the wave V to wave I amplitude ratio were compared at the various age groups. It was found that the mean absolute latency values in the preterm group were significantly longer than for the full term group up to about 2 yr of age. In contrast, the I-V delay and the amplitude ratio were not different. It is concluded that prematurity does not cause a different rate of maturation for the ABR compared to full term infants. In addition, it is suggested that the differences in absolute latencies can be explained on the basis of a higher incidence of otitis media in the preterm population.