Neonatal auditory brainstem response cannot reliably diagnose brainstem death. Issue 1 (January 1985)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dear, P R; Godfrey, D J
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 60:Issue 1(1985)
• Page Start: 17
• Page End: 19
• Publication Date: 1985-01
• Subjects: Children -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1136/adc.60.1.17
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-9888

Abstract

Abstract : In two newborn infants who had experienced severe asphyxial insults, and who showed noticeable signs of brainstem dysfunction, all components of the auditory brainstem response except the eighth nerve potential became undetectable. Both babies survived, their brainstem responses returned, and one of them is judged to be developmentally normal at the age of 18 months. Clinical signs of brainstem dysfunction with complete cessation of conduction in the brainstem auditory pathway cannot be taken, therefore, as a sign of irreversible brainstem damage in the human newborn.