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Neuropediatrics 1990; 21(3): 136-139
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1071480
Original article

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Role of Short Latency Somatosensory Evoked Responses in Infants with Rapidly Progressive Ventricular Dilatation*

L. S. De Vries1 , V.  Pierrat1 , T.  Minami1 , M.  Smet2 , P.  Casaer1
  • 1Department of Paediatric Neurology, Katholieke Universiteit, B-3000 Leuven
  • 2Department of Paediatric Radiology, Katholieke Universiteit, B-3000 Leuven
* This study is supported by a grant from The Medical Research Council, Belgium (PGWO) and by a grant from the Janssen Research Foundation, Beerse, Belgium.
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Publication History

Publication Date:
19 March 2008 (online)

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Abstract

The effect of hydrocephalus on somatosensory evoked potentials was studied in nine infants. An increase in N1 latency was found in five infants studied longitudinally during a period of progressive ventricular dilatation. A marked decrease in N1 latency was noted in 7 infants, within one week following shunt insertion and in two infants who showed spontaneous arrest of ventricular growth. A correlation was found between cerebrospinal fluid pressure and the delay in N1 latency, but the number of infants studied is still small.

SEPs appear to be a useful additional test when assessing infants with progressive ventricular dilatation. Once a baseline value for N1 has been obtained following shunt insertion, SEPs may subsequently be useful when assessing a child with possible shunt dysfunction.

Key words

Hydrocephalus, newborn - Intracranial pressure - Somatosensory evoked responses (SEP) - Progressive ventricular dilatation

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