The adverse event of using sedation for ABR and ASSR

Abstract

The auditory brainstem response (ABR)/auditory steady-state response (ASSR) is used to measure hearing levels in infants. However, to perform stable tests, the infant should be put to sleep using a sedation. There are no drugs without side effects or sedation without risks; hence, care must be provided to avoid respiratory depression and cardiac arrest. We studied 251 cases of infants who were sedated using oral triclofos sodium and underwent outpatient examinations. Respiratory depression occurred in 42 patients (16.7%), of which >50% occurred within 15 min of falling asleep, suggesting that upper airway patency was affected,and approximately 10% occurred after ≥30 min. Therefore, measures must be conducted considering the risk of transitioning to deep sedation until the end of the examination. Information should be shared,considering the background of respiratory depression, with the awareness that there is no risk-free sedation.