Somatosensory evoked potentials in neonates

초록

This study was performed to establish the maturation characteristics in preterm and fullterm neonates. Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) were recorded in total 93 neonates with gestational age under 42 weeks and postmenstrual age (PMA) under 45 weeks. The short latency of N1 component of median SEPs were recorded as normal in 75.3% and abnormal or flat in 24.7% of infants. The mean latency 25.3+/-5.4 msec, duration 16.3+/-5.5 msec and amplitude 1.00+/-1.27 mu V were recorded. The P1 component of posterior tibial SEPs were recorded as normal in 31.2% and abnormal or flat in 68.8% of infants. The mean latency 44.9+/-5.6 msec, duration 17.5+/-3.9 msec and amplitude 0.47+/-.0.38 mu V were recorded. This result suggests that the maturation of proximal and shorter somatosensory pathway develops earlier than the maturation of distal and longer pathway.