Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential After Antibiotics Use in High-Risk Neonates

J Korean Assoc EMG Electrodiagn Med 2006;8(2):126-134.
Published online May 10, 2006.

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between the brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) and the risk of hearing impairment in high-risk neonates treated with antibiotics. Methods: Control group consisted of 30 high-risk neonates treated without antibiotics therapy and experimental group consisted of 30 high-risk neonates treated with antibiotics therapy. Gestational age, corrected age at the BAEP study, birth weight, medical history and type and dose of antibiotics were analyzed. Results: Corrected age at the BAEP study, perinatal asphyxia, infection, antibiotics correlated with the latency of the BAEP study significantly (p<0.05). Prematurity, perinatal asphyxia, antibiotics had influence on the latency of the BAEP study significantly (p<0.05). Wave V latency and III-V and I-V interpeak intervals at 70 dB and 30 dB, I-III interpeak interval at 30 dB in the experimental group prolonged as compared with the latencies of conrol group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the latency of the BAEP study between different antibiotics types (p>0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that antibiotics may be one of risk factors that induce the hearing impairment in high-risk neonates and the brainstem auditory evoked potential study may be important in screening of the hearing impairment in high-risk neonates treated with antibiotics therapy.

Key Words: Brainstem auditory evoked potential, High-risk neonates, Antibiotics, Hearing impairment