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Brainstem auditory evoked responses from birth to adulthood: development of wave amplitude
1Department of Child Health, Children's Hospital, Shanghai Medical University, People's Republic of China.
Insights
Brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) amplitudes in children develop significantly, with adult values reached by 6 months for Wave I and 2 years for Wave V. These findings provide crucial normative data for auditory development studies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Audiology
Background:
- Brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) is a key electrophysiological measure for assessing auditory pathway function.
- Understanding the maturation of BAER components is crucial for diagnosing auditory processing disorders in infants and children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the developmental trajectory of BAER wave amplitudes and the V/I amplitude ratio in children from birth to 6 years.
- To establish normative data for BAER parameters during early development.
- To compare developmental changes with adult BAER values.
Main Methods:
- BAER was recorded in a cohort of children aged 0–6 years and in adults.
- Analysis focused on the amplitude of specific BAER waves (Wave I and Wave V) and the V/I amplitude ratio.
- Age-related changes in these parameters were systematically evaluated.
Main Results:
- BAER wave amplitudes (Wave I and Wave V) increased with age, with the most significant changes observed in early infancy.
- Adult-like values for Wave I amplitude were reached by 6 months, and for Wave V by 2 years.
- The V/I amplitude ratio showed a distinct developmental pattern, decreasing during the first year and reaching a minimum between 1–4 years, remaining lower than adult values throughout maturation.
Conclusions:
- BAER wave amplitudes and their ratios exhibit significant age-related maturation during early childhood.
- Normative criteria for BAER amplitude ratios should consider age-specific developmental changes.
- Wave V amplitude demonstrates relative stability and may be clinically useful in certain situations.
Abstract:
Brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) was recorded in children from birth to 6 years and adults to study the development of wave amplitude. The amplitudes of all BAER waves increased with age, the greatest changes occurring during early infancy. Adult values were reached at 6 months of age for wave I and 2 years for wave V. The two waves continued to increase above the adult values until the highest amplitude value was reached at 3 years for wave I and 5 years for wave V. Subsequently, the amplitudes decreased towards the values in adults. The V/I amplitude ratio, which was slightly than the adult value shortly after birth, decreased during the first year of life and reached the minimum value between 1 and 4 years. Thereafter, it increased towards the adult value. Throughout the maturational stages the ratio was smaller than in adults. The amplitude of wave V was relatively stable and its variation was much smaller than those of wave I and V/I amplitude ratio. Lower normative limits of these amplitude measures were given to provide a reference baseline for further study under the similar experimental conditions. We suggest that, in light of age-related differences of the V/I ratio, the normative criteria for the amplitude ratio should be established in relation to age. The amplitude of wave V is recommended to be useful in some clinical situations.