Auditory event-related potentials at preschool age in children born very preterm.

OBJECTIVE

To assess auditory event-related potentials at preschool age in children born very preterm (VP, 27.4 ± 1.9 gestational weeks, n=70) with a high risk of cognitive dysfunction.

METHODS

We used an oddball paradigm consisting of a standard tone randomly replaced by one of three infrequent deviants (differing in frequency, sound direction or duration).

RESULTS

The P1 and N2 latencies were inversely correlated to age (50-63 months) both in VP (r=-0.451, p<0.001, and r=-0.305, p=0.01, respectively) and term born controls (TC; n=15). VP children had smaller P1 than near-term (n=12) or TC (1.70 ± 0.17 μV vs 2.68 ± 0.41 and 2.92 ± 0.43, respectively; p<0.05). Mismatch negativity response did not differ between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest a fast maturation of P1 and N2 responses with fast decrease in P1 and N2 latencies around the age of 5 years. Mismatch negativity response does not seem to be a robust measure for defining abnormalities in VP children.

SIGNIFICANCE

In ERP studies in preschool children, even small, non-significant group differences in age at recording should be corrected for. Very preterm born children at preschool age have aERP patterns as earlier described in full-term born children with cognitive deficits.