Auditory brainstem response in children with iron deficiency anemia.

To investigate the neurosensorial influences with auditory brainstem response (ABR) in iron deficiency anemia. We recorded ABR in 33 children with iron deficiency anemia followed and in 31 healthy children (control group 1, 0-12 months, control group 2, 13-36 months, control group 3, 37-60 months) as a control group. The patients and controls were divided into three group: group I, at 12 months of age, group II, 13-36 months, and group III, 37-60 months. In all groups, composed latency time, inter-peak latency, amplitude of peaks, I-V wave amplitude ratio and waveform were evaluated and compared with control groups. In group I, I-V interpeak latency was increased compared with control group I (4.58 vs. 4.20 ms, p < 0.05). In group II, Wave V latency time and III-V interpeak latency were increased compared with control group 2 (6.21 ms vs. 5.63 ms. p < 0.005 and 0, 48 vs. 0.22 p < 0.005, respectively). In group III, wave I latency time was increased compared with control group 3 (1.56 ms vs. 1.46 ms) (p < 0.05). We considered that increases in ABR latencies might be explained by delayed maturation of myelinisation, which requires iron, and/or by dysfunction of iron containing enzymes.