Differential Development of Brainstem Potentials in Healthy and High-Risk Infants

Maturation along the brainstem acoustic pathway, as well as the integrity of these structures, has been shown to be reflected in brainstem evoked potential recordings. Trajectories formed from repeated sequential measurements of several brainstem response variables reveal distinct developmental curves for healthy and high-risk infants. Longitudinal analysis offers a means of determining temporary or permanent maturational effects on the central nervous system in early life.