Maturation time course for brainstem auditory evoked potential in preterm and full term infants

Abstract

Background: Auditory system neurological maturity is a two-phase process. The first phase is intrauterine and is over by the sixth month of gestation; at this point the peripheral auditory pathways are mature. The second phase starts after birth and ends at about 18 months of life; at this point the auditory pathways along the central nervous system up to the brainstem reach maturity. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate hearing in preterm infants and to study the neurologic maturation and integrity of the auditory pathway by comparing the latencies of the waveforms with that of the full-term infants. Material and Methods: In the present study the recording was done using RMS EMG EP MARK II machine manufactured by RMS recorders and medicare system, Chandigarh. Statistical Analysis: The data obtained was analyzed by using mean + standard deviation and student’s t test. Results: There were no significant differences for latencies and interpeak latencies between term and preterm infants. (p>0.05) Conclusion: There was no significant relation between BAEP variables in preterm and full-term infants, suggesting that gestational age do not affect the brain stem evoked potential.