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Spontaneous potentials in premature and full-term infants
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
|March 1, 1976
Insights
Spontaneous potentials in infant electromyograms typically resolve by three months. Persistence may indicate neurological or metabolic disorders, unrelated to lower motor neuron issues.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Clinical Electrophysiology
Background:
- Spontaneous potentials are observed in electromyograms (EMGs) of neonates.
- These potentials usually resolve within the first three months of life as infants mature.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the significance of persistent spontaneous potentials in infant EMGs.
- To inform electromyographers about the potential association of these potentials with non-lower motor neuron disorders.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of electromyogram (EMG) findings in infants.
- Correlation of spontaneous potential presence with infant age and neurological status.
Main Results:
- Spontaneous potentials are a normal finding in premature and full-term infants.
- These potentials typically disappear by three months of age.
- Persistence of spontaneous potentials can be observed in infants with cerebral or metabolic disorders.
Conclusions:
- Persistent spontaneous potentials in infant EMGs may suggest underlying cerebral or metabolic conditions.
- Electromyographers should consider these findings in the differential diagnosis of infant neurological disorders, even when lower motor neuron involvement is not suspected.
Abstract:
Spontaneous potentials may be normally found in the electromyograms of premature and full-term infants. These potentials tend to disappear as the infants mature past three months of age. However, in some infants with cerebral or metabolic disorders these spontaneous potentials may persist. Their pathogenesis is obscure. The electromyographer must be aware of their existence in disorders unrelated to the lower motor neuron.