Frequency-Following Response and Auditory Behavior in Children with Prenatal Exposure to the Zika Virus
Laís Cristine Delgado da Hora1, Lilian Ferreira Muniz1, Silvana Maria Sobral Griz1
1Department of Speech, Language and Audiology, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
Insights
Children exposed to Zika virus prenatally showed normal auditory brainstem responses but delayed auditory behavior. This suggests potential auditory development delays in infants affected by Zika virus, even without microcephaly.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Audiology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Prenatal Zika virus exposure is linked to neurodevelopmental issues and auditory damage.
- Assessing auditory function in affected children is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate auditory behavior and frequency-following response (FFR) in children with and without prenatal Zika virus exposure.
- To compare auditory outcomes in children with microcephaly, normocephalic children, and controls.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 30 children divided into three groups: microcephalic with Zika exposure, normocephalic with Zika exposure, and unexposed controls.
- Frequency-following response (FFR) testing using the /da/ syllable.
- Auditory behavior assessment using the LittlEars® questionnaire administered to parents/guardians.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in FFR measurements were found between the groups.
- Children with Zika virus exposure scored lower on the LittlEars® questionnaire, indicating poorer auditory behavior.
- Significant differences in final, semantic, and expressive scores were observed between the microcephalic group and the other groups.
Conclusions:
- Children prenatally exposed to Zika virus, with or without microcephaly, exhibit typical FFR patterns.
- However, these children display immature auditory behaviors, suggesting a delay in auditory development.
- Early identification and intervention for auditory development delays in Zika-exposed infants are recommended.
Abstract:
Introduction Prenatal exposure to the Zika virus can impair neurodevelopment and cause auditory damage. Objective To analyze the frequency-following response (FFR) and the auditory behavior (with the LittlEars ® questionnaire) of children with and without prenatal exposure to Zika virus infection. Methods A total of 30 children participated in the present study, divided into 3 groups: 10 children with microcephaly and prenatal exposure to the Zika virus; 10 normocephalic children with prenatal exposure to the Zika virus; and 10 children with no evidence of prenatal exposure to the virus. The FFR test was performed with the /da/ syllable. The LittlEars ® questionnaire was used with parents/guardians. Results For the FFR measurements, there was no difference between the groups. The children with exposure to the Zika virus presented a final score in the questionnaire below what is expected from children with normal hearing. A significant difference was observed for the final, semantic, and expressive scores between the group with microcephaly and the other groups. A strong negative correlation was seen between the LittlEars ® questionnaire final score and the FFR measurements for the group with microcephaly when compared with the other groups. Conclusion Children exposed to the Zika virus, with and without microcephaly, presented FFR patterns similar to what was seen in children with no evidence of virus exposure. However, they showed signs of immature auditory behavior, suggesting auditory development delay.
