Brainstem evoked potentials(BSEP) in newborn infants are altered by elevated serum bilirubin levels and may be used as an indicator of bilirubin toxicity. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of serum bilirubin on brainstem evoked
potentials in full-term neonates. We examined altered responses of brainstem evoked potentials by studying 81 full-term neonates divided into three groups: group 1(n=33), peak serum bilirubin(PB) level<5mg/dl; group2(n=22), 5mg/dllevel<10mg/dl;
group 3(n=26), PB level>10mg/dl. The rate of appearance of peak waves reduced significantly in peak I, II, III, & V of group and all peak waves of group 3 as compared with group 1, respectively. The increased serum bilirubin levels were
associated
with
significant amplitude reduction of peak waves, but had no effect on absolute latencies and interpeak latencies. According to those results, we conclude that the increased serum bilirubin levels affect the amplitudes of the peak waves rather than
the
latencies or interpeak latencies of brainstem evoked potentials in full-term neonates.
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