Abstract
We have evaluated auditory evoked brainstem potentials(AEBP) in 23 twin pairs(T) and 27 singletons(S). AEBP are far field reflections of changes in electrical activity in the auditory brainstem pathway. Clicks were presented monaurally at 10/sec of 65 dBSL and responses recorded from scalp electrodes. 2048 click responses were amplified and computer averaged. Latencies of 3 major consistent waves in the first 10 msec were measured. Conceptional age (CA) range was 31-41 weeks. Birth weight range in T was 965-3650 gms. Mean birth weight difference between twins was 270 gms (20-1130). The table shows mean latency in msec as a function of CA for Waves I, III, IV-V for T & S. The difference in latency(AL) of the waves for each T ranged from 0-1.3 msec with a mean of 0.37 msec in 10 T before 36 weeks CA. Range was 0-1 msec with a mean of 0.23 msec for T 36-41 weeks CA. Results may indicate an increase in neural synchrony with age or differences in brainstem maturation in T before 36 weeks CA. The good correlations of AEBP in T & S suggest that the relative placental insufficiency during 3rd trimester in T is not reflected in brainstem maturation as measured by auditory testing.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Amlie, R., Starr, A., Sanders, S. et al. BRAINSTEM DEVELOPMENT IN NEWBORN TWINS AND SINGLETONS. Pediatr Res 11, 560 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-01141
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-01141