title: Newborns with hyperbilirubinemia: usefulness of brain stem auditory response evaluation.
abstract: We describe brain stem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) obtained in 48 full-term newborns (20 boys, 28 girls) presenting with high serum total bilirubin concentration (from 238 to 442 mM) without Rhesus of group A, B, O factors incompatibility. Recordings were performed on the 3rd day of life and repeated 5-7 days post-appropriate therapy with photostimulation and exchange transfusion (when bilirubin concentration had decreased below 136 mM). Supplementary recordings were performed 3, 6 and 12 weeks later in order to assess test-retest reliability of components. Mean values of BAEP latencies were compared with those obtained in 40 age-matched control subjects using the same recording procedures. At first recording session (on the 3rd day), latencies of waves III and V obtained in hyperbilirubinemic patients were significantly increased as compared with records in control subjects. Recordings performed 5 to 7 days post-therapy and during subsequent recording sessions showed no significant differences between patients and control groups. Serial neuropsychological evaluations obtained over a 3-year follow-up showed no subsequent neurodevelopmental abnormality for all patients. These findings suggest that hyperbilirubinemia can alter central neurotransmission in auditory brain stem pathways, but this modification is only transient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, University of Chieti, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sabatino
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Verrotti
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Ramenghi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Domizio
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Melchionda
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fulgente
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Paci
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Andreamatteo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Onofrj
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007567:Jaundice, Neonatal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology