title: Auditory brainstem responses in high risk and normal newborns.
abstract: We studied the auditory brainstem responses of 50 high risk neonates from NICU and compared with those of 25 normal neonates in order to determine the percentage of significant auditory impairment in NICU and correlated it to various risk factors. Infants with the risk factors of low birth weight, hyperbilirubinemia, asphyxia, septicemia and meningitis were included in the study group. All the 150 ears were tested at 4 intensities 30 dB, 46 dB, 60 dB and 75 dB. The study recorded prolongation of latency of wave V and I-V Interwave interval in the study group with a statistically significant difference denoting an impaired condition. Incidence of significant auditory impairment was 18%. On follow up at 6 months incidence of persistent auditory abnormality was 4%. On the basis of this study it is suggested that all high risk neonates should undergo screening for hearing impairment.
authors.affiliation: Lady Hardinge Medical College and Associated Hospitals, New Delhi.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chadha
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Bais
mesh_terms: D001304:Auditory Diseases, Central / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity