Abstract
Recently it has been suggested that the N1 peak latency is different in normal neonates studied during the first postnatal day. It has been found to be abnormally prolonged but this difference is not found in those who received prenatal steroids. (1)
We have looked at N1 latency in 18 normal metabolically stable infants during the first 24 hours of life, gestation 29 - 40 weeks, birthweight 776-3830grams. 1 infant received prenatal steroids.
In all cases the N1 latency fell within our normal range (+/-2SD). When the N1 latencies were converted to standard deviation scores (SDS) the range was -1.83 to 1.53 SDS, median 0.04.
In conclusion we have been unable to demonstrate prolonged N1 latencies during the first 24 hours of life in neonates who are metabolically stable and suggest that SEPs are a useful marker of cerebral function during this time. Reports of transient abnormality may be due to technical differences.
(1) Pierrat V F-:t al. Somatosensory evoked potentials and adaptation to extrauterine life. Brain Dev 1990;12:376-9.
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Thomson, M., Klimach, V. & Cooke, R. ARE SOMATOSENSORY EVOKED POTENTIALS PROLONGED IN THE FIRST 24 HOURS OF LIFE?. Pediatr Res 32, 611 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199211000-00040
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199211000-00040