Neonatal auditory function and depressed Apgar score: Correlation of brainstem auditory response with Apgar score

Abstract

To examine the relationship between neonatal auditory function and Apgar score in term infants with depressed Apgar scores. Brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) was recorded on day 3 after birth in term infants who had Apgar scores < or = 7 at 1 and/or 5 min. Half of the infants also had Apgar scores at 10 min, with 17 < or = 7. No BAER variables correlated significantly with 1-min Apgar score. However, wave III and V latencies, and I-V, I-III and III-V intervals correlated significantly and negatively with 5-min Apgar score (p < 0.05-0.01). These BAER variables were significantly longer in infants with 5-min Apgar scores < or = 7 than those > 7. Wave V latency and all intervals also correlated negatively with 10-min Apgar score (p < 0.05-0.01). Compared to normal controls, all latencies were prolonged in infants with depressed Apgar scores (all p < 0.05-0.01). All intervals were also prolonged in those with 5-min scores < or = 7 (p<0.05-0.01). Similar results were found when defining the depression of Apgar score as < or = 6. A depressed 5- and/or 10-min Apgar score is an indicator associated with neonatal auditory, mainly central, impairment. Apgar score < or = 7 or 6 at 1 min alone is unlikely to be associated with central impairment.