[Assessment of cochlea activity in a group of newborns with central nervous system impairment as an effect of perinatal asphyxia using click-evoked otoacoustic emissions (CEOAEs)].

During adaptation of newborn to extra-uterine environment dramatic changes in functioning in the inner organs and the entire human body is observed. Complicated or premature birth as well as complicated course of a perinatal period may cause reversible or irreversible damage of various tissues, organs or systems, and, consequently, their dysfunction. The most often changes in the central nervous system (CNS) in newborns occurring as an effect of perinatal asphyxia are found to be ischemic-hypoxic encephalopathy (IHE), periventricular leucomalacia (PVL) and intraventricular hemorrhages (IVH). Chronic hypoxia is considered to affect the hearing organ in newborns. Reversible or irreversible changes within the cochlea, brainstem or cortex may result in perceptive hearing losses. The aim of the study was to carry out the objective assessment of the cochlea activity using CEOAEs in neonates with CNS impairment occurring following perinatal asphyxia. To the investigation 16 newborns with IHE, PVL or IVH were included. The control group encompassed the health newborns matched as to the age. Perinatal anamnesis, general pediatric status, results of trans-fontanel ultrasonography and biochemical test results were taken into account in statistical analyses. In all newborns otoscopic examination and CEOAEs after birth and 3 months later were performed. CEOAEs in session 1 were significantly reduced in the investigated group comparing to control babies but 3 months later no differences between groups were observed. The outer hair cells activity in first days of life is reduced in newborns with asphyxia in anamnesis but with time no differences in cochlea development are observed.