Auditory neural myelination is associated with early childhood language development in premature infants

Abstract

BackgroundAuditory neural myelination (ANM) as evaluated by auditory brainstem evoked response (ABR) during the neonatal period has been used as a surrogate outcome for long-term neurodevelopment. The validity of ANM as a surrogate outcome for long-term neurodevelopment has not been well studied. AimEvaluate the association of ABR I–V interpeak latency (IPL), an index of ANM, at 35week postmenstrual age (PMA) with language outcome at 3years of age. DesignProspective study. Subjects24–33week gestational age (GA) infants were eligible if they did not meet exclusion criteria: craniofacial malformation, chromosomal disorders, deafness, auditory dys-synchrony, TORCH infection, or non-English speaking parents. Infants with malignancy, head injury, encephalopathy, meningitis, blindness, or who died or relocated were also excluded. Outcome measuresABRs were performed at 35week PMA using 80dB nHL and I–V IPL (ms) measured. Auditory Comprehension (AC) and Expressive Communication (EC) were evaluated by a speech-language pathologist at 3years of age using Preschool Language Scale. ResultsEighty infants were studied. The mean GA and birth weight of infants were 29.2weeks and 1336g, respectively. There was association of worse ear I–V IPL and better ear I–V IPL with AC (Coefficient−5.4, 95% CI: −9.8 to −0.9 and Coefficient−5.5, 95% CI: −10 to−0.9, respectively) and EC (Coefficient−5.6, 95% CI: −9.5 to−1.8 and Coefficient−6.7, 95% CI: −10.6 to−2.7, respectively) after controlling for confounders. ConclusionThe neonatal I–V IPL is a predictor of language development at 3years of age in preterms.