Neurobehavioral and neurophysiological assessment of healthy and "at-risk" full-term infants.
The Neurological and Adaptive Capacity Score (NACS) and the auditory brainstem response (ABR) are measures that, respectively, provide neurobehavioral and neurophysiological information regarding the status of the central nervous system (CNS) in the neonatal period. We evaluated these measures as indices of CNS functioning in 15 neonates born at risk for neurological sequelae and 15 healthy controls. Significant group differences were observed on the NACS. The ABR failed to distinguish the groups, but abnormal responses were obtained from 1 severely asphyxiated infant. Measures used to define ABR abnormality were also correlated among risk infants. We concluded that the NACS is sensitive to mild but diffuse disturbances, whereas the ABR appears to reflect insults to the brainstem structures that are susceptible to damage from anoxia. Utilization of both tests provides more complete information regarding CNS integrity in neonates.
Eldredge
L
L
University of California, San Francisco.
Salamy
A
A
D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005072:Evoked Potentials, Auditory; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors