Cortical Auditory Evoked Potentials in Children with Prenatal Exposure to Zika Virus
Laís Cristine Delgado da Hora1, Lilian Ferreira Muniz1, Leonardo Gleygson Angelo Venâncio1
1Department of Speech, Language and Audiology, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife 50740-520, Brazil.
Insights
Prenatal Zika virus (ZIKV) exposure can impact neurologic and auditory function. Cortical Auditory Evoked Potentials (CAEP) show preserved sound processing in ZIKV-exposed children, even with microcephaly.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Audiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Prenatal Zika virus (ZIKV) exposure is linked to significant neurologic and auditory damage in infants.
- Cortical Auditory Evoked Potentials (CAEP) offer an objective measure to assess auditory pathway function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate CAEP findings in children with prenatal ZIKV exposure, comparing those with and without microcephaly.
- To correlate CAEP results with neuroimaging findings in microcephalic children.
Main Methods:
- A case series involving 24 children with prenatal ZIKV exposure.
- Cortical Auditory Evoked Potentials (CAEP) were performed on all participants.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was analyzed for five microcephalic children and compared with CAEP data.
Main Results:
- All children exhibited the P1-N1-P2 complex in CAEP; two lacked the N2 peak.
- Microcephalic children showed a higher P2 amplitude (p=0.017), suggesting auditory pathway immaturity.
- Common MRI findings included ventriculomegaly (80%), calcifications (80%), and brain reduction (60%) in microcephalic cases.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal ZIKV exposure did not abolish cortical sound processing ability, as evidenced by preserved CAEP components.
- CAEP can be a valuable tool for evaluating auditory pathway function in ZIKV-exposed children, irrespective of central nervous system anomalies.
Abstract:
Prenatal exposure to ZIKV can cause neurologic and auditory damage. The electrophysiological responses obtained by Cortical Auditory Evoked Potentials (CAEP) may provide an objective method to investigate the function of cortical auditory pathways in children exposed to ZIKV. This case series analyzed the findings of CAEP in prenatal-period ZIKV-exposed children with and without microcephaly. The CAEP was performed in a total of 24 children. Five magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images of the inner ear and brain of microcephalic children were analyzed and compared with CAEP measurements. Ventriculomegaly (80%), cortical/subcortical calcification (80%), and brain reduction (60%) were the most common alterations in the MRI. The P1-N1-P2 complex of the CAEP was observed in all children evaluated. The peak N2 was absent in two children. In the comparison of the CAEP measurements between the groups, children with microcephaly presented a higher amplitude of P2 (p = 0.017), which may reflect immaturity of the auditory pathways. Microcephalic and normocephalic children with prenatal exposure to ZIKV presented with the mandatory components of the CAEPs, regardless of changes in the CNS, suggesting that this population has, to some extent, the cortical ability to process sound stimuli preserved.
