Background: Gender is a known physiological variable reported to have influences on brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) latencies irrespective of age. Anatomical differences have been suggested for such variations.
Aims and Objectives: The present study was, hence, undertaken to evaluate the influence of gender on BAEP latencies and to assess the role of head size and body mass index (BMI) on BAEP responses and in gender variations.
Materials and Methods: BAEP was recorded in 100 healthy adults (50 males and 50 females) in the age group of 18-70 years. Comparisons of absolute and interpeak latencies (IPLs) in the genders and between the groups with different head sizes and BMI were performed by unpaired t-test. Correlations between head size and BMI with BAEP latencies were obtained by Pearson correlation coefficient. P < 0.05 was considered as significant statistically.
Results: A statistically significant increase in BAEP absolute latencies I, III, and V and IPLs I-III and I-V was found in males as compared to females. A significant positive correlation of head size was obtained with absolute latency I, III, V and I-V IPL. P < 0.05 for comparison of groups with different head sizes for absolute latencies I, III, V, I-V IPL and that with different BMI for I, III, V and I-III and I-V IPLs. Gender differences turned non-significant (P > 0.05) in males and females of comparable head sizes.
Conclusion: Gender has significant influence on BAEP latencies. Head size and BMI are independent physical variables affecting BAEP latencies with the former having important role in gender differences.
Key words: Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials; Absolute Latency; Interpeak Latency; Gender Variations; Head Size
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