All issues > Volume 40(6); 1997

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1997;40(6):801-808. Published online June 15, 1997.

Somatosensory Evoked Potential of Median Nerve in Preterm Infants

Young Hwan YH Kim¹, Kee Hwan KH Yoo¹, Young Sook YS Hong¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Abstract

Purpose
: The purpose of this study was to standardize the somatosensory evoked potential(SEP) latency and amplitude of healthy preterm infants according to the postconceptional age.
Methods
: The median nerve SEPs were recorded in 30 healthy preterm infants who were followed up until 6 months and were neurodevelopmentally normal.
Results
: The mean peak latency and interpeak amplitude were following : P0=20.89±6.09(msec), N1=26.32±5.18, P1=31.16±6.59, N2=36.52±7.22 : P0N1=1.07±0.72(μV), N1P1= 1.56±0.93, P1N2=1.56±1.73. The N1 peak latency was inversely related to postconceptional age. (P=0.036) : below 36 weeks=29.44±3.18(msec), from 36 weeks to 37+6 weeks=27.72±5.47, from 38 weeks to 39+6 weeks=25.20±5.86, above 40 weeks=22.70±2.09.
Conclusion
: This study demonstrates normal ranges of SEP of median nerve in preterm infants as a basic data of neurodevelopmental prognostic assessment.

Keywords :Somatosensery evoked potential(SEP), Preterm infants