The maturation of the auditory brainstem response compared to peripheral nerve conduction velocity in preterm and...

The maturation of the auditory brainstem response in preterm and full-term infants is compared with that of nerve conduction velocity. There is a linear relationship between wave I latency, the peripheral component of the response, and nerve conduction velocity, but the negative correlation is not high. A poor negative correlation exists between the I-V interval, an index of brainstem transmission, and nerve conduction velocity. The factors governing the maturation of central transmission along the auditory pathway in the brainstem are not related to myelination of peripheral nerves. Abnormal nerve conduction velocities are not related to any particular abnormal brainstem response in a stable external environment.