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Sensory evoked potentials in infants with Down syndrome
Yung-Jung Chen1, Peng-Cheng Fang
1Department of Paediatrics, Medical College, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan. pcyj@mail.ncku.edu.tw
Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|November 24, 2005
Summary
Infants with Down syndrome (DS) show sensory pathway deficits. Evoked potential tests revealed abnormalities in visual and somatosensory pathways, indicating early sensory dysfunction in DS.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder associated with developmental delays.
- Sensory pathway development is crucial for infant development.
- Early identification of sensory deficits can inform interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sensory pathway function in infants with Down syndrome (DS).
- To utilize sensory evoked potentials to assess peripheral to central pathway function.
- To identify potential early sensory deficits in infants with DS.
Main Methods:
- Multimodal evoked potentials were used in 55 infants (30 DS, 25 controls).
- Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP), visual evoked potentials (VEP), and short-latency somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) were recorded.
- Peak latencies and amplitudes were analyzed and compared between groups.
Main Results:
- BAEP showed no significant latency differences, but 9 DS infants had abnormalities (hearing loss or prolonged wave I).
- VEP revealed significantly longer P(2) and N(2) latencies and smaller amplitudes in DS infants.
- SSEP demonstrated prolonged N(20) latencies and N(13)-N(20) interpeak latencies in DS infants.
Conclusions:
- Infants with Down syndrome exhibit diverse sensory pathway deficits within the first year of life.
- Abnormalities were noted in auditory, visual, and somatosensory pathways.
- These findings highlight the importance of early sensory assessment in infants with DS.