Melatonin is a useful alternative to sedation in children undergoing brainstem audiometry with an age dependent success rate--a field report of 250 investigations.

摘要: Though brainstem audiometry is one of the most important investigations in pediatric audiology, it often necessitates sedation or general anaesthetics, especially newborns and infants. Melatonin, inducing natural sleep without risks sedation, has been successfully used to induce prior EEG investigations. 250 children (142 male, 108 female) with suspected hearing loss underwent ABR (auditory responses) tests melatonin-induced sleep. Click-induced notched-noise were performed. Click performed 216 249 86.7% (123 93 female), 115 155 74.2%. Failure rates showed an age dependence increasing from 4% 3 years, but no gender difference. In conclusion, a good alternative younger than years. This method widely accepted by parents permits earlier diagnosis impairment routine clinical setting. The number undergoing anaesthesia for investigation was reduced over 60 per year 2000-2002 12 2005, which means >80% less anaesthesia.