Auditory brainstem responses in perinatal asphyxia

Averaged auditory brainstem responses (ABR) elicited by unfiltered clicks were recorded from 14 asphyxiated neonates with clinical evidence of CNS suppression at 3–17 days of age, and from a group of healthy neonates matched in gestation period and weight. Statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in several ABR parameters and characteristics. In general, longer ABR component latencies and interwave intervals were the rule in the asphyxiated group. Short-term follow-up of the asphyxiated infants suggested that the ABR is sensitive to recovery trends from hypoxic encephalopathy. The results of a 6-month follow-up are also summarized. The results are discussed with regard to the histopathological and experimental information available from current literature.