AUDITORY NEUROPATHY SPECTRUM DISORDER IN CHILDREN: ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PERINATAL RISK FACTORS AND RADIOLOGY.

Introduction: Radiological assessment plays a vital role in identifying auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) in children. Identifying the neonatal risk factors and their association with radiological findings might facilitate the management of children with ANSD. The goal of the current work was to investigate the relationship between perinatal risk factors and radiological findings in children with ANSD. Material and methods: Altogether, 28 children with ANSD aged 1 to 6 were enrolled. Behavioural observation audiometry (BOA), otoacoustic emissions (OAEs), and auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) were conducted. High-resolution computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed. Results: There was a statistically significant association between ANSD risk factors - hydrocephalus, preterm birth, hyperbilirubinemia, entry into newborn intensive care, and cerebral palsy - and white matter changes and cerebral/brainstem abnormalities. Conclusions: In children with ANSD, certain cerebral/brainstem abnormalities and white matter changes were associated with the condition. To minimize the impact of hearing loss, radiological assessments should be conducted on all children having ANSD risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]