Maturational delay in the brainstem auditory pathway of very preterm babies with apnoea.

Aims: To assess the maturational status of the brainstem auditory pathway in babies with apnoea of prematurity (AOP) at 33-34 weeks of postmenstrual age (PMA), an important time landmark at which AOP is resolved in most cases.

Study Design: Compare brainstem auditory maturation between very preterm babies with AOP and those without AOP (non-AOP) at the same PMA 33-34 weeks to define differences.

Results: The AOP group showed significantly longer latencies of waves III and V latency than the non-AOP group (p < 0.05 and 0.01). The I-V interval in the AOP group was significantly longer than in the non-AOP group (p < 0.001). The same was true for the I-III and III-V intervals (p < 0.001 and 0.05). Wave III amplitude was significantly smaller (p < 0.05), and wave V amplitude was moderately smaller than in the non-AOP. At PMA 33 weeks, waves III and V latencies and all intervals in the AOP group were significantly longer than in the non-AOP group (p < 0.05-0.001). At PMA 34 weeks, these wave latencies and intervals in the AOP group were still significantly longer than in the non-AOP group (p < 0.05-0.01). Wave III amplitude in the AOP group was significantly smaller at both PMA 33 and 34 weeks (p < 0.05 and 0.05).

Conclusions: Brainstem auditory maturation in AOP babies is delayed at PMA 33 weeks, and remains delayed at PMA 34 weeks. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring and adequate intervention strategies during PMA 33-34 weeks in AOP babies.