Relationship between Bilirubin and Auditory Function in Premature Neonates
Issue Date
2010-01-01Author
Bargen, Gabriel Anne
Publisher
University of Kansas
Format
136 pages
Type
Dissertation
Degree Level
Ph.D.
Discipline
Hearing and Speech
Rights
This item is protected by copyright and unless otherwise specified the copyright of this thesis/dissertation is held by the author.
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Show full item recordAbstract
Research has shown hyperbilirubinemia is more prevalent in preterm infants than in term infants. Hyperbilirubin is toxic to the central nervous system and may cause neurological impairments in newborns with the most consistent impairment being auditory dysfunction. However, national guidelines are needed which address bilirubin levels in premature infants. The study objective was to determine the relationship between bilirubin levels and auditory function in preterm infants. The auditory brainstem response (ABR) and distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) were prospectively investigated in premature infants while monitoring total serum bilirubin (TSB) levels. Ten subjects with mean gestational age of 31.5 weeks and mean peak-TSB of 7.91 mg/dL were enrolled. The posthoc peak-TSB to birth weight ratio placed all subjects in the control group. Spearman's correlation coefficient indicated no significant correlation between peak-TSB levels and auditory function. Further research with hyperbilirubinemia subjects is needed to determine when preterm infants' auditory function is affected.
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