Brainstem evoked response audiometry (BAER) in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry (BAER) as an objective testing of hearing assessment in icteric babies and correlate the abnormalities with serum bilirubin levels. METHODS: BAER recordings were taken in 30 icteric ferm neonates at birth, at peak of serum bilirubin levels and on a follow-up visit at 2-4 months of age. RESULTS: Mean latency of waves and interwave intervals on the BAER records were prolonged in icteric babies compared to the control group suggesting early bilirubin encephalopathy. Abnormal records were obtained in 73.3% cases and the abnormality persisted in the follow-up tracings of 23.3% of the study group. CONCLUSION: BAER is a sample, reliable and effective technique for determining auditory functions in the neonates especially changes of early bilirubin toxicity.