Prediction of neurodevelopmental outcome in the preterm infant: short latency cortical somatosensory evoked potentials compared with cranial ultrasound. Issue 10 (October 1992)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: de Vries, L S; Eken, P; Pierrat, V; Daniels, H; Casaer, P
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 67:Issue 10(1992)Spec No
• Page Start: 1177
• Page End: 1181
• Publication Date: 1992-10
• Subjects: Children -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1136/adc.67.10_Spec_No.1177
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-9888

Abstract

Abstract : One hundred and twenty six preterm infants, with a gestational age of 34 weeks or less, were studied to compare the predictive value of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) with that of cranial ultrasound. A normal N1 latency was no guarantee of a normal outcome, nor did a persistently delayed N1 latency always correlate with a poor outcome. As a predictor of cerebral palsy, SEPs had a sensitivity of 44% and a specificity of 92%. The presence of a large haemorrhage (grade IIb/III) or cystic leukomalacia on cranial ultrasound predicted cerebral palsy with a sensitivity of 73.6% and a specificity of 83.1%. These results demonstrate that the role of SEPs recorded after median nerve stimulation is limited in preterm infants.