Comparative study of retrocochlear function in children aged 5 to 9 years full-term born: small versus appropriate for gestational age

Objective: this study aimed to analyze the retrocochlear function in full-term children born small for gestational age, and to compare them with children of the same age range born appropriate for gestational age.

Methods: a cross-sectional study of an analytical and comparative nature, including 36 participants, full-term term, aged betwenn 5 and 9 years old, of both genders, divided into study groups, small for gestational age (SGA: n = 24) and a control group, children appropriate for gestational age (AGA: n = 12). The study analyzed tonal auditory thresholds, contralateral acoustic reflexes, and brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) - absolute latency of waves (I, III e V) and interpeak intervals (I-III, III-V and I-V). Data obtained were analyzed by comparing the SGA and AGA groups for quantitative variables using Student's t-test and Pearson's chi-square test for categorical variables establishing significance level at p <0.05.

Results: although the hearing threshold was normal in both groups, there was statistical significant difference between the groups in acoustic reflexes at the frequency of 2 kHz in the left ear (p = 0.032), and in BAEP in wave III of the right ear (p = 0.033) and left ear (p = 0.021) and in the interpeak interval I-III (p = 0.005) of the right ear.

Conclusion: full-term children born small for gestational age may exhibit retrocochlear dysfunctions despite having normal peripheral hearing thresholds. Therefore, SGA children should be considered at potential risk for alterations in the integrity of the auditory pathways, and periodic audiological follow-up is recommended, particularly during the school-age years (5 to 9 years), in order to identify possible late-onset manifestations.