[Indicators of registration of auditory brainstem responses in children with autism spectrum disorder].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the latency of the components of the auditory brainstem responses (ABR) in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in age 2-3 years in comparison with the norm.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

The research includes the results of studies of 12 children with a confirmed diagnosis of ASD, including 9 boys and 3 girls aged 24 to 33 months. To assess the auditory function all children were recorded using auditory brainstem responses with a broadband click as a stimulus. At the first stage of the study, we determined the threshold of ABR recording to exclude the presence of hearing loss. Children with hearing disorders (4 people) were not included in the study - they were allocated to a separate group for further observation. The second stage of the study was a comparative analysis of the latency of wave V in patients with ASD without hearing impairment and children with normotypic development.

RESULTS

The average latency value of the wave V in the group of children with autism spectrum disorders was 6.34 ms (Mann-Whitney U-test, p≥0.05 with a growth trend, indicating a lack of statistical significance), normally 6.75-6.90 ms. The standard deviation was 0.4 (6.37%).

DISCUSSION: The deviation of latency indicators from the norm on the screening values of the ABR stimulus can be considered a biomarker of autism spectrum disorders. To exclude or confirm ASD children with such changes should be referred for consultation to specialized specialists.