Auditory Brain Stem Response and Otoacoustic Emission in Neonatal Jaundice

Abstract

Bilirubin toxicity produces multiple neurologic deficits and hearing loss (Bergman eta/., 1985). Pathologic studies of jaundiced infants died with kennicterus showed abnormalities of auditory brain stem nuclei and fiber tracts including cochlea, trapezoid bodies, lateral lemnisci, superior olives and inferior colliculi (AIIdab-Barmada and Mossy, 1984). So, the effect of jaundice on hearing may be peripheral or central (Funato et at., 1996).

This study has been done to evaluate the auditory pathway in 30 infants suffering from neonatal jaundice and try to establish the site of deposition of pigments in the auditory pathway.

Thirty infants suffering from neonatal jaundice had been studied, and ten healthy age matched newborns served as a control group.

All jaundiced infants and controls were subjected to the following :

1. Full history taking.

2. Clinical examination.

3. Careful otological examination.

4. Complete blood picture.

5. Serum bilirubin total and direct.

6. Audiological examination a. Tympanometry. b. TEOAEs

c. ABR.

o Six neonates (20%) showed within normal hearing threshold level.