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Infant Auditory Processing and Event-related Brain Oscillations
Published on: July 1, 2015
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Moderate compromise in postnatal brainstem auditory function in low-risk very preterm infants and differences from
Ze Dong Jiang1, Yong Yin1, Cui Wang2
1Division of Neonatology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, 399 Wan Yuan Road, Shanghai, 201102, China.
Early Human Development
|April 3, 2026
Summary
Low-risk very preterm infants show moderate brainstem auditory pathway compromise. This auditory dysfunction is more significant than in late preterm infants, even without major health issues.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Auditory Neuroscience
Background:
- Preterm birth can impact neurodevelopmental outcomes.
- The brainstem auditory pathway's function in low-risk preterm infants requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the postnatal brainstem auditory pathway function in very preterm infants.
- To compare auditory function between very preterm, late preterm, and term infants.
Main Methods:
- Brainstem auditory evoked responses (BAERs) were measured at 3 months corrected age.
- 44 very preterm infants (24-32 weeks gestation) without major complications were studied.
- BAERs were compared to those of late preterm and normal term infants.
Main Results:
- Very preterm infants exhibited elevated BAER thresholds and prolonged wave latencies (III, V).
- Interpeak intervals (I-V, III-V) were prolonged, particularly at higher click rates.
- Reduced wave amplitudes (I, III, V) were observed across all rates, more so than in late preterm infants.
Conclusions:
- Low-risk very preterm infants demonstrate moderate compromise in brainstem auditory function.
- This auditory compromise is more pronounced than the minor abnormalities seen in late preterm infants.
- Findings highlight a significant, even if moderate, impact on auditory processing in very preterm infants.
