All issues > Volume 40(9); 1997

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1997;40(9):1219-1226. Published online September 15, 1997.

Visual Evoked Potentials in Healthy Preterm Infants

Young Kook YK Kim¹, Young Hwan YH Kim¹, Young Sook YS Hong¹

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

Abstract

Purpose
: The visual evoked potentials(VEPs) offer a window both on visual system function and on cerebral or neurologic function. The study was performed to evaluate the maturation of VEP in preterm infants and to present a guide to detect high risk neonates who can develop neurodevelopmental abnormalities.
Methods
: The VEPs were recorded in response to binocular stimulus with light-emitting diode goggles. VEP recordings were analyzed in 37 healthy neonates who were followed longer than 6 months and neurodevelopmentally normal.
Results
: 1) The peak latencies of N1 were 158.4±42.4(msec), 159.4±40.6, 80.2±20.6, 52.4±12.0 from 34 to 42 weeks, respectively. 2) The peak latencies of P1 were 227.7±34.4(msec), 187.0±35.4, 124.4±30.2, 148.3±44.9 from 34 to 42 weeks, respectively. 3) The peak latencies of N2 were 315.4±49.9(msec), 228.6±44.2, 205.5±69.3, 194.4±89.9 from 34 to 42 weeks, respectively. 4) The peak latencies of P2 were 403.1±87.0(msec), 275.4±61.5, 232.5±58.7, 255.1±125.1 from 34 to 42 weeks, respectively. 5) The mean amplitude of N1-P1, P1-N2, N2-P2 were 5.3±6.8(μV), 5.3±5.5, 5.5± 4.1 respectively. The peak latencies were inversely related to post-conceptional age(P < 0.05).
Conclusions
: The peak latencies of each wave were decreased according to the post-conceptional age and these data reflect maturational changes in brain function.

Keywords :Visual evoked potential(VEP), Preterm infants