Related Experiment Videos
Brain stem electric response audiometry in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia
V Bhandari1, A Narang, S B Mann
1Department of Pediatiric, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh.
Indian Journal of Pediatrics
|May 1, 1993
Summary
Neonatal jaundice can affect auditory brainstem responses (ABR), with some infants showing absent responses. Treatment improves ABRs, but recovery may be incomplete, indicating potential long-term auditory impacts.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Audiology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Neonatal jaundice is common and can lead to high bilirubin levels.
- Elevated bilirubin (hyperbilirubinemia) poses a risk for neurotoxicity in newborns.
- Auditory evoked responses are sensitive indicators of auditory pathway integrity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate auditory brainstem evoked response (ABR) in newborns with significant jaundice.
- To assess changes in ABR following treatment for neonatal jaundice.
- To explore the correlation between bilirubin levels and ABR abnormalities.
Main Methods:
- Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) testing was performed on 30 jaundiced newborns (bilirubin ≥ 15 mg/dL).
- ABR tests were repeated after treatment to reduce bilirubin levels (< 10 mg/dL).
- Analysis included incidence of absent responses, waveform latencies, and correlation with bilirubin levels.
Main Results:
- 16.5% of jaundiced infants had absent initial or subsequent ABRs.
- After treatment, 3/30 infants had absent ABRs, with 2 diagnosed with kernicterus.
- Jaundiced infants exhibited prolonged latencies; treated infants showed partial ABR recovery.
- No correlation was found between total or maximal bilirubin levels and ABR abnormalities.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal jaundice significantly impacts auditory pathway function, as evidenced by ABR abnormalities.
- While treatment for jaundice can lead to partial ABR recovery, it may not be complete.
- The findings highlight the importance of monitoring auditory function in jaundiced newborns.