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Auditory brainstem response in auditory assessment of acute severely burned children
Insights
Severely burned children treated with ototoxic drugs may experience hearing loss. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing revealed auditory deficits in 13% of pediatric patients, highlighting the need for routine hearing evaluations.
Area of Science:
- Ototoxic drug effects
- Pediatric audiology
- Burn injury complications
Background:
- Burn patients frequently require ototoxic medications for infection control.
- Ototoxic therapies can lead to cochlear damage and hearing impairment.
- Auditory brainstem response (ABR) is crucial for pediatric hearing assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe a protocol for ABR assessment in severely burned children.
- To evaluate the incidence of auditory deficits in this population.
Main Methods:
- A series of 69 acute severely burned children were assessed.
- Auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing was utilized.
Main Results:
- 13% of the children exhibited auditory deficits as detected by ABR.
- The study established a protocol for ABR assessment in this cohort.
Conclusions:
- Routine auditory evaluations, including ABR, are recommended for burned children.
- Early detection and rehabilitation of hearing loss are essential for pediatric burn survivors.
Abstract:
The burn population often requires ototoxic drugs in the treatment of infection. Previous investigations indicate that cochlear damage and auditory impairment may result from this medical therapy. In recent years, the auditory brainstem response (ABR) has assumed an important role in pediatric auditory assessment. We describe a test protocol for ABR assessment in the severely burned child. In a series of 69 acute severely burned children, 13% showed evidence of auditory deficit by the ABR. Based on our experiences, we recommend the inclusion of routine auditory evaluations, including ABR, in the diagnosis and rehabilitation of these children.