The Relationship between Severe Hyperbilirubinemia and Abnormal Auditory Brainstem Response in children

Abstract:Background : Hyperbilirubinemia is one of the most common cause of congenital sensory neuronal hearing loss. These patients are screened by auditory brainstem response (ABR) test at bilirubin levels higher than 1% of gestational weight. Aim: to determine whether hyperbilirubinemia less than 1% of gestational weight could induce hearing loss and abnormal auditory brainstem response (ABR).Methods: in this case control study the outcome of ABR test in children younger than 3 years old with a history of term delivery and hyperbilirubinemia (bilirubin level less than 1% of gestational weight) were compared with the control group without hyperbilirubinemia matched for age and sex.Results: Mean ABR amplitude (wave I, V) were significantly prolonged in neonates with jaundice compared with controls (P0.6% gestational weight was 2.25 with 95% CI (1.44-3.89 and p=0.02).Conclusion: Our study showed a relevant association between bilirubin levels less than 20 mg/dl and abnormal ABR.