Effects of maternal cocaine abuse on the neonatal auditory system.

Eighteen neonates born to cocaine-abusing mothers were tested for peripheral and brainstem auditory dysfunction using auditory brainstem responses (ABR). Their data were compared to ABRs from 18 normal neonates. The ABR data were analyzed to determine if ABR parameters were abnormal in neonates born to cocaine-abusing mothers in comparison to normal neonates. ABRs from neonates exposed to maternal cocaine abuse show prolonged interpeak latencies and prolonged absolute latencies. These abnormalities indicate neurologic impairment or dysfunction that warrants further audiologic and neurologic follow-up.