OBJECTIVETo explore the characteristics of auditory brainstem response (ABR) in neonatal hyperbilirubinemia induced by different causes.

METHODSA total of 88 neonates (176 ears) with hyperbilirubinemia were divided into several groups according to the causes and followed up after 42 d, and 15 normal neonatus (30 ears) were measured ABR and analyzed the results.

RESULTSThe thresholds of ABR in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were the highest in all the groups and had the longest incidence rate. The wave III, V latencies and III-V, I-V interwave intervals of the ABR were significantly difference and prolonged during test in comparison to the latencies in the control group (P < 0.05). The neonatal infections group had the longest wave and interwave intervals, followed by ABO incompatibility hemolytic diseases and the unknown cause groups, while the breastfeeding jaundice were the shortest in the groups of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. The thresholds of ABR in the hyperbilirubinemia caused by several etiologies were significant abnormality when compared with the single etiology. However, they were similar in the wave latencies and interwave intervals of ABR. During the follow up, the ABR wave latencies and interwave intervals except for interwave latency I-III were significantly shorter.

CONCLUSIONSThe toxicity of hyperbilirubinemia to the auditory nervous system are related to the species and number of etiologies. The neonate hyperbilirubinemia caused by glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, infections, ABO incompatibility hemolytic diseases and many etiologies are much more dangerous to the auditory system than the breastfeeding jaundice. The damages of hyperbilirubinemia to the auditory nervous system are reversible probably.