Kraus N, Smith D I, Reed N L, Stein L K, Cartee C
Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol. 1985 Sep;62(5):343-51. doi: 10.1016/0168-5597(85)90043-7.
The nature of auditory middle latency responses (MLRs) in children has been the subject of considerable debate. In order to study MLRs as a function of age, MLRs were obtained in 217 subjects ranging in age from 6 days to 20 years, all with normal auditory brain-stem responses (ABRs). Subjects were classified into several diagnostic categories: normal; communicative disorders (language delay, learning disability); mentally retarded, multiply handicapped; and post-meningitic. Age effects, the effects of diagnostic category, and possible differences in MLRs of males vs. females and right vs. left ears were examined. The detectability of both Na and Pa was found to increase significantly as a function of age. Detection of these MLR components became similar to adult values (approaching 100% detectability) at approximately 10 years of age. No significant differences were found among diagnostic categories. There were also no significant differences in the detectability of MLRs in males as compared to females, and there were no right vs. left ear differences. The strong age effect which appears to exist in the MLR influences their clinical use. When responses are present, they may be useful indicators of hearing sensitivity, but the absence of MLRs in children cannot be taken as an indication of hearing loss. Similarly, absent or abnormal MLRs cannot be interpreted as a manifestation of auditory pathway dysfunction, since there appears to be little difference in MLRs in normal subjects and MLRs in patients with a wide range of neurologic, cognitive, and speech and language disorders.
儿童听觉中潜伏期反应（MLRs）的本质一直是大量争论的主题。为了研究MLRs作为年龄的函数，在217名年龄从6天到20岁的受试者中获得了MLRs，所有受试者的听觉脑干反应（ABRs）均正常。受试者被分为几个诊断类别：正常；交流障碍（语言发育迟缓、学习障碍）；智力迟钝、多重残疾；以及患脑膜炎后。研究了年龄效应、诊断类别效应以及男性与女性、右耳与左耳MLRs可能存在的差异。发现Na和Pa的可检测性均随着年龄的增长而显著增加。在大约10岁时，这些MLR成分的检测变得与成人值相似（可检测性接近100%）。在诊断类别之间未发现显著差异。男性与女性MLRs的可检测性也没有显著差异，并且右耳与左耳之间也没有差异。MLRs中似乎存在的强烈年龄效应影响了它们的临床应用。当存在反应时，它们可能是听力敏感性的有用指标，但儿童中MLRs的缺失不能被视为听力损失的迹象。同样，MLRs的缺失或异常不能被解释为听觉通路功能障碍的表现，因为在正常受试者的MLRs与患有广泛神经、认知以及言语和语言障碍的患者的MLRs之间似乎几乎没有差异。
