Purpose
To monitor the auditory pathway maturation of infants born small for gestational age (SGA), according to body proportionality, in the first six months of life.
Methods
Brainstem auditory-evoked potential (BAEP) was performed during the neonatal period and at six months of life in 59 infants born small for gestational age; among them, 35 were born asymmetrical (SGA-A), and 24 were born symmetrical (SGA-S). The results were compared to those of 59 infants considered appropriate for gestational age (AGA).
Results
The term and pre-term SGA-A and SGA-S infants showed a significant auditory maturation process (progressive decrease of BAEP latencies) from the neonatal period to six months of life. A similar result was observed with the AGA infants. The term and pre-term AGA infants and the SGA-S and SGA-A infants did not differ from each other from an auditory perspective during the six-month period.
Conclusion
The SGA infants with symmetrical and asymmetrical patterns showed auditory maturation, suggesting that the duration of intrauterine injury did not represent a greater risk to hearing.
Evoked potentials, Auditory, Brain stem; Hearing; Hearing disorders; Infant; Newborn; Child development
