Distortion product otoacoustic emissions at 6 months in term infants after perinatal hypoxia-ischaemia or with a low Apgar score

Distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) were analyzed at 6 months of age in term infants who had perinatal hypoxia-ischaemia (HI) and those who had a low Agar score alone to detect any abnormalities in cochlear function and any difference between the two groups of infants. The f2 primary tone was presented at ten frequencies (0.5–10 kHz). Both the left and right ears were tested. Compared to normal term controls, both the infants after perinatal HI and those with a low Apgar score alone showed lower DPOAE pass rates, mainly at 1–4 kHz at which the pass rates were decreased significantly (P < 0.05–0.01). The general pattern of DPOAE pass rates at different frequencies was similar in the two groups of infants. The pass rates at 1, 5 and 6 kHz tended to be lower in the infants after perinatal HI than those with a low Apgar score alone, although not statistically significant. Conclusions At 6 months of age, infants after perinatal HI or with a low Apgar score alone had a relatively poor cochlear function, mainly at 1–4 kHz. There are no major differences between the two groups of infants.