CHANGES IN AUDITORY FUNCTION DURING FIRST 6 MONTHS IN PREMATURE CHILDREN WITH INTRAUTERINE GROWTH RETARDATION

Abstract

To define an influence of intrauterine growth restriction to forming of hearing function of preterm infants. The audiological test by the method of distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) was performed 3 times (during supposed dates of birth; 3 months old; 6 months old) in 136 premature children born while different gestation periods. Children were divided into 2 groups: premature children with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and premature children with normal weight for their gestation age (normotrophy). During checkup in supposed date of birth of children with IUGR, DPOAE was detected less than children with normotrophy and with the same gestation period. Test results in all 3 months old premature children of gestation period less than 32 weeks were significantly lower in comparison with children of another date of gestation. Results in 6 months old children with IUGR and with normotrophy were almost identical. In 17% of children with IUGR born at term gestation less than 32 weeks of auditory function is not available. Children with normotrophy from the same subgroup lack of auditory function were noted in 12% of cases. Premature children with IUGR maturing of auditory function is likely not to end in 6 months and can continue after 6 months.