Normal brainstem responses in moderately preterm infants.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to detect any differences in brainstem auditory evoked responses (BAERs) to different click rates between moderately preterm and term infants.


METHODS
BAER was recorded with 21-91/s clicks at term age (37-42 weeks postconceptional age) in 39 moderately preterm infants (gestation 33-36 weeks). The results were compared with 37 healthy term infants.


RESULTS
The latencies of waves I, III and V, and I-V interval in preterm infants were all similar to term infants at all click rates. The I-III interval decreased slightly and differed from term infants at 91/s (ANOVA, p < 0.05), while the III-V interval increased slightly. The III-V/I-III interval ratio increased slightly and differed from term infants at 91/s (p < 0.05). Wave amplitudes were similar in the two groups of infants, except an increase in wave V amplitude at 91/s in preterm infants (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found in BAER click rate-dependent changes between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
No marked differences were found in BAER at any click rates at term age between moderately preterm and term infants, suggesting that moderately preterm birth does not have a marked effect on neonatal BAER. BAER normal data and criteria from term infants can generally be used for moderately preterm infants.
Jiang
Ze D
ZD
Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China. zedong.jiang@paediatrics.ox.ac.uk
Wilkinson
Andrew R
AR
D005072:Evoked Potentials, Auditory; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem; D005260:Female; D006320:Hearing Tests; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D015997:Neonatal Screening; D011247:Pregnancy; D012044:Regression Analysis