Bilirubin-Induced Audiologic Injury in Preterm Infants

Cristen Olds; John S Oghalai

doi:10.1016/j.clp.2016.01.006

Bilirubin-Induced Audiologic Injury in Preterm Infants

Clin Perinatol. 2016 Jun;43(2):313-23. doi: 10.1016/j.clp.2016.01.006. Epub 2016 Feb 15.

Authors

Cristen Olds¹, John S Oghalai²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University, 801 Welch Road, CA 94305, USA.
² Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University, 801 Welch Road, CA 94305, USA. Electronic address: joghalai@stanford.edu.

Abstract

Although hyperbilirubinemia is extremely common among neonates and is usually mild and transient, it sometimes leads to bilirubin-induced neurologic damage (BIND). The auditory pathway is highly sensitive to the effects of elevated total serum/plasma bilirubin (TB) levels, with damage manifesting clinically as auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder. Compared to full-term neonates, preterm neonates are more susceptible to BIND and suffer adverse effects at lower TB levels with worse long-term outcomes. Furthermore, although standardized guidelines for management of hyperbilirubinemia exist for term and late preterm neonates, similar guidelines for neonates less than 35 weeks gestational age are limited.

Keywords: Auditory brainstem response; Auditory neuropathy; Bilirubin; Cochlea; Cochlear nucleus; Hyperbilirubinemia; Kernicterus; Preterm.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Review

MeSH terms

Cochlear Nerve / physiopathology*
Cochlear Nucleus / physiopathology*
Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem / physiology*
Hearing Loss, Central / etiology
Hearing Loss, Central / physiopathology*
Humans
Hyperbilirubinemia, Neonatal / complications
Hyperbilirubinemia, Neonatal / physiopathology*
Hyperbilirubinemia, Neonatal / therapy
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature
Kernicterus / etiology
Kernicterus / physiopathology*

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding