[Effect of sevoflurane and nitrous oxide anesthesia on auditory brainstem responses in children]

The effect of sevoflurane and nitrous oxide anesthesia on the auditory brainstem response (ABR) was studied in 70 infants and children ranging in age between 1 month and 15 years. The latencies in ABR under a non-anesthetic state are no longer in the waves originating from the central portion in younger subjects. This tendency was recognized under ketamine anesthesia as control and sevoflurane and nitrous oxide anesthesia as well. Although nitrous oxide 60% and sevoflurane 2.5% increased the latency of wave V and the interpeak interval I-V significantly in all age groups, the changes were small (0.26 +/- 0.16 msec and 0.23 +/- 0.19 msec). The changes in infants were relatively large compared with elder subjects. These concentrations did not decrease the amplitude of waves I, III and V significantly in any age group. Sevoflurane exerted little influence on ABR, and it would be useful for ABR testing in children.