# Electrophysiological evaluation of the auditory pathway in newborns and infants with peri-intraventricular hemorrhage and/or periventricular leukomalacia

## TL;DR

This study evaluates hearing development in preterm infants with brain injuries using electrophysiological tests to detect potential auditory pathway issues.

## Contribution

The study provides longitudinal electrophysiological data on auditory pathway development in preterm infants with PIVH/PVL.

## Key findings

- ABR and CAEP maturation patterns were similar in infants with PIVH/PVL and healthy controls over six months.
- Auditory function remained symmetrical in both peripheral and central pathways in both groups.
- No significant differences were found in auditory pathway development between the study and control groups.

## Abstract

•Prematurity is a risk factor for lifelong hearing damage.•Hearing monitoring is necessary until around 3-years of age.•Hearing monitoring after peri-intraventricular hemorrhage is essential.

Prematurity is a risk factor for lifelong hearing damage.

Hearing monitoring is necessary until around 3-years of age.

Hearing monitoring after peri-intraventricular hemorrhage is essential.

To evaluate and monitor, through electrophysiological assessment of hearing, the integrity of the peripheral and central auditory pathways in infants with Peri-intraventricular hemorrhage and/or Periventricular Leukomalacia (PIVH/PVL) who stayed in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), aiming to verify the occurrence of possible neural dysfunctions in this system.

This prospective longitudinal study evaluated preterm Newborns (NBs) and infants at the time of hospital discharge and after 3- and 6-months. The Study Group (SG) had 12 females and 11 males, with gestational age between 25- and 33-weeks, and a mean gestational age of 29.82-weeks at birth. The Control Group (CG) had 26 healthy NBs, distributed in 13 females and 13 males, with gestational age between 27- and 33-weeks and a mean of 30.67-weeks of gestational age at birth. All participants underwent Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) and Cortical Auditory Evoked Potentials (CAEP) P1, N1, P2, at the time of hospital discharge, and 3- and 6-months after discharge. Each group’s results were compared using statistical tests.

Evolutionary study of mean ABR and CAEP latencies in infants in the study and control group showed a similar pattern over the six months after hospital discharge.

The comparison of brainstem and cortical potentials showed that auditory function is symmetrical in the peripheral and central portions of the auditory pathway in both groups. The maturation of the ABR and CAEP waves in both groups developed in a very similar way over the six months after hospital discharge.