[The effect of iron deficiency anemia on the auditory brainstem response in infant].

Our study attempts to explore the mechanism by which iron deficiency anemia (IDA) affects the brain function of infants. We made auditory brainstem response (ABR) test for 48 IDA infants and 30 normal control infants, aged 6-36 months and reexamined ABR in 4 IDA infants after three months iron therapy. 26 cases of abnormal ABR among 48 IDA infants were found, it took 54.2% of total IDA infants. IDA led mainly to peripheral impairments of auditory system and rarely to brainstem. There was a direct relationship between the severity of IDA and the degree of abnormality of the ABR in infants. The threshold of ABR in IDA infants was significantly higher than that of in control group. It suggests that IDA infants have listening comprehensive difficulty as a result of impairment in high frequency hearing. After follow-up of 4 IDA infants, it was found that the impairment of auditory system could be reversible after prompt correcting of IDA. This observation has important significance for child health in the future.