Sensorineural auditory evaluation in a group of preterm neonates from the "Kangaroo mother" program

Abstract

A study was carried out to investigate the association between risk factors commonly found in preterm neonates with very low birth-weight (Iess than 1.500 g) and decreased auditory acuteness; the latter was measured according to brain stem evoked potentiaJs (BERA test) In 133 preterm neonates belonging to the "Kangaroo mother program", in 'Medellín,Colombla. The following risk factors we~ evaluated: Hyperbilirrubinemia, hyaline membrane, birth weight lower than 1.500g, fetal distress, hypoglycemia, use of aminoglycosldes, thlrd trimester hemorrhage, and maternal high blood presssure. Abnormal results in BERA test were found in 54 cases (40.6%) at 4 months and in only 10 (7.5%) in the final evaluation performed between 8 and 14 months of age. No association was found between risk factors and decreased auditory acuteness; the shift from abnormal to normal auditory acuteness can be explained by brain maturation factors In the preterm infant. Causes for final deficits remain to be investigated; follow-up programs including auditory tests in this group of children at risk should be established.