Auditory brainstem-evoked potentials in term infants born to mothers addicted to opiates
McPherson, D.L.; Madden, J.D.; Payne, T.F.
Journal of Perinatology Official Journal of the California Perinatal Association 9(3): 262-267
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0743-8346 PMID: 2809778 Document Number: 340278
A series of 20 normal newborn term infants and 12 infants born to mothers who had abused opiates during pregnancy were studied. Auditory brainstem-evoked potentials were used to describe neurophysiologic dysfunction in a group of drug-addicted term infants. Significant differences in the auditory brainstem-evoked potentials were found between the two groups. Specifically, a decrease in the central conduction times was noted for the I-III interpeak interval, suggesting neurophysiologic dysfunction in the area of the pons and cerebellum.