Effects of electrode montage on infant auditory brainstem response

The present study compares ipsilateral, contralateral, horizontal and non-cephalic auditory-evoked brainstem responses (ABR) obtained from normal infants (39-42 weeks' post-conceptional age) to assess their utility in auditory neurodiagnosis. Wave latencies, wave amplitudes and waveform morphology were evaluated at slow and fast repetition rates. Ipsilateral and horizontal recordings obtained with a fast stimulation rate provide best waveform characteristics for neurodiagnostic interpretation. Further enhancement of wave V amplitude and separation of IV-V wave complex may be achieved by using the non-cephalic recording montage. Compromised or low amplitude components on contralateral measurements may confound neurological interpretation.