Changes in BAER amplitudes after perinatal asphyxia during the neonatal period in term infants

We recorded serially brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) during the neonatal period in term infants who suffered perinatal asphyxia. The amplitudes of BAER components was analysed at 40 dB above BAER threshold of each subject who had a threshold ⩽25 dB nHL. No apparent changes in the amplitudes of waves I and III during the first 5 days after birth. The two wave amplitudes were slightly reduced thereafter. On day 30, the amplitudes were slightly smaller than in normal controls. No statistical significant differences were found in the two amplitudes between the infants after asphyxia and the controls on any days studied. In contrast, wave V amplitude showed a trend of reduction during the whole neonatal period. The amplitude was reduced slightly on the first day after birth, but reduced further on day 3 (ANOVA, P < 0.01). Thereafter, the reduction persisted without any significant change. On day 30, wave V amplitude remained significantly smaller than in the controls (P < 0.001). Compared to the controls, V/I amplitude ratio was slightly smaller during the neonatal period, but V/III amplitude ratio was significantly smaller on most of the days studied (P < 0.05-0.01). The persistent reduction of wave V amplitude suggests a sustained neuronal damage of the auditory brainstem in infants after perinatal asphyxia.