Abstract
Photic evoked responses were measured during rapid eye movement (REM) and non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep in 13 premature infants (30–38 weeks gestation) using a LINC computer and correlated with gestational age. Twenty responses were averaged and displayed with an analysis time of 1024 msec. Clinical status, electroencephalogram, respiratory pattern, eye movement and electrocardiogram were utilized to evaluate sleep status. Photic evoked responses were detected in all cases and the most marked responses were localized in the occipital leads.
Typical responses in parieto-occipital lead were composed of an initial, vertex positive, peak (P1) and an after discharge with 4–5 peaks. Phase reversal of P1 was observed between the parieto-occipital and occipito-inion leads. The latency and amplitude of the evoked potential did not decrease during rapid eye movement when compared to non-rapid eye movement sleep as in older children and adults. The latency of P1 decreases with increasing gestational age. There is no inverse relationship between the latency of P1 and the age after birth, skull circumference or body weight. The latency of P1 provides an additional parameter by which the maturation of the brain and the gestational age of the premature infant can be assessed. (SPR)
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Umezaki, H., Morrell, F. & Klaus, M. 99 Photic Evoked Responses During Sleep in the Premature Infant. Pediatr Res 1, 225–226 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-196705000-00105
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-196705000-00105