title: Evaluation of auditory perception development in neonates by event-related potential technique.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate auditory perception development in neonates and correlate it with days after birth, left and right hemisphere development and sex using event-related potential (ERP) technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty full-term neonates, consisting of 32 males and 28 females, aged 2-28days were included in this study. An auditory oddball paradigm was used to elicit ERPs. N2 wave latencies and areas were recorded at different days after birth, to study on relationship between auditory perception and age, and comparison of left and right hemispheres, and males and females.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average wave forms of ERPs in neonates started from relatively irregular flat-bottomed troughs to relatively regular steep-sided ripples. A good linear relationship between ERPs and days after birth in neonates was observed. As days after birth increased, N2 latencies gradually and significantly shortened, and N2 areas gradually and significantly increased (both P<0.01). N2 areas in the central part of the brain were significantly greater, and N2 latencies in the central part were significantly shorter in the left hemisphere compared with the right, indicative of left hemisphere dominance (both P<0.05). N2 areas were greater and N2 latencies shorter in female neonates compared with males.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The neonatal period is one of rapid auditory perception development. In the days following birth, the auditory perception ability of neonates gradually increases. This occurs predominantly in the left hemisphere, with auditory perception ability appearing to develop earlier in female neonates than in males. ERP can be used as an objective index used to evaluate auditory perception development in neonates.
authors.affiliation: Changzhou Children's Hospital, Changzhou 213003, Jiangsu, PR China.
authors.forename: Qinfen
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Changzhou Children's Hospital, Changzhou 213003, Jiangsu, PR China.
authors.forename: Hongxin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Changzhou Children's Hospital, Changzhou 213003, Jiangsu, PR China.
authors.forename: Aibin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Changzhou Children's Hospital, Changzhou 213003, Jiangsu, PR China. Electronic address: dx6868@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Xuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: Changzhou Children's Hospital, Changzhou 213003, Jiangsu, PR China. Electronic address: qfz2010@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Wenjuan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tu
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D001307:Auditory Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005072:Evoked Potentials, Auditory / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D012727:Sex Characteristics
keywords: Auditory perception; Development; Event-related potential; Neonates