Visual evoked potentials in disproportionately growth-retarded human neonates

• To study brain function in the neonatal period, disproportionately growth-retarded (n = 33) and appropriately grown (n = 21) infants were examined using Doppler flow velocities prenatally and visual evoked potentials postnatally. Visual evoked potentials recordings were made at gestation of 40 and 46 weeks. The group of growth-retarded infants had significantly prolonged latencies to both of the two major peaks (designated P and N), most pronounced for the P peak. This result was observed at both ages investigated and corresponds to a developmental delay of 3 weeks. For individuals, the increase in P latency correlated to prenatal flow indices and to neonatal anthropometric parameters indicative of growth retardation. We conclude that in utero growth retardation affects brain development as assessed by visual evoked potentials in the neonatal period. This developmental delay may be produced by intracerebral factors during the process of growth retardation, and these alterations may have a prognostic value.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Neurologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Neurology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Anthropometry

Blood Flow Velocity/physiology

*Electroencephalography

Evoked Potentials

Visual/*physiology

Female

Fetal Growth Retardation/diagnosis/*physiopathology

Gestational Age

Humans

Infant

Newborn

Male

Middle Cerebral Artery/ultrasonography

Occipital Lobe/physiopathology

Parietal Lobe/physiopathology

Photic Stimulation

Pregnancy

Reaction Time/physiology

Reference Values

Ultrasonography

Doppler

Ultrasonography

Prenatal

Umbilical Arteries/ultrasonography

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)