Strategies for infant auditory brain stem response assessment

The use of auditory brain stem response (ABR) represents a new dimension in auditory and neurological pediatric assessment. Because the ABR may be altered by stimulus and procedural variables, the lack of an established standard has reduced its clinical efficiency. This paper describes a suggested ABR protocol for infants. Included are stimulus and electrode considerations, measurement criteria, and procedures. In addition, ABR results are presented from 125 newborns ranging between 40 and 49 weeks gestational age. The effects of age and intensity on latency and amplitude are discussed.