Potencial evocado auditivo de tronco encefálico em lactentes com sífilis congênita

Abstract

One of the clinical manifestations of late congenital syphilis is sensorineural hearing loss. As a result, audiological follow-up with biannual consultations is recommended for the first two years of the infected baby's life. For the audiological diagnosis in the evaluation of babies under six months of age, the Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) is considered the gold standard test. Objective: to investigate the integrity of the retrocochlear auditory pathway through the responses obtained by the click-ABR in exposed babies with congenital syphilis. Method: Babies born in public maternity hospitals in the city of Natal-RN were recruited, which constituted three groups: group 1 (G1), consisting of babies exposed to congenital syphilis; group 2 (G2) of babies with congenital syphilis; and the control group (G3). All babies included in the study had Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (TOAE) present bilaterally. The click stimulus ABR was performed at an intensity of 80 dB nHL and the absolute latency values of waves I, III and V were analyzed; and interpeaks I-III, III-V and I-V. Results: When comparing the groups, there was a statistically significant difference in wave V latency, in the I-V interpeak and in the amplitude of wave III of the left ear, with better performance in G1 and G2. In the analysis by ear, we observed significance of wave V latency, interpeak I-V and I-III in G3 and wave I amplitude in G1, noting better results in the right ear. Conclusion: There is no impairment in the neurophysiological responses of the retrocochlear auditory pathway measured in the ABR click stimulus at 80 dB nHL in exposed babies with treated congenital syphilis in the first three months of life.