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Updated: Jul 2, 2026
Electroretinogram Recording for Infants and Children under Anesthesia to Achieve Optimal Dark Adaptation and International Standards
Published on: September 3, 2020
The electroretinogram in children
Reut Parness-Yossifon1, Marilyn Baird Mets
1Division of Ophthalmology, Children's Memorial Hospital, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois 60614, USA.
Insights
The electroretinogram (ERG) is vital for assessing retinal function in children, even preverbal ones. Modified ERG techniques allow early diagnosis of visual system development, retinopathy of prematurity, and ametropia.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Optometry
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The electroretinogram (ERG) is a crucial diagnostic tool for evaluating retinal function.
- Its application in preverbal children is particularly valuable for early detection of visual impairments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review modifications required for performing ERG in young children.
- To summarize ERG studies contributing to understanding visual system maturation, retinopathy of prematurity, and ametropia development.
Main Methods:
- A review of selected articles focusing on pediatric ERG techniques.
- Categorization of studies based on technical modifications, visual maturation, retinopathy of prematurity, and ametropia.
Main Results:
- Technical modifications for pediatric ERG include considerations for sedation, patient positioning, and electrode placement.
- ERG findings provide insights into the maturation of the visual system in preterm infants and early childhood.
- Studies highlight ERG's role in advancing the understanding of retinopathy of prematurity and ametropia development.
Conclusions:
- Despite necessary modifications, ERG can and should be performed early in pediatric patients.
- Early ERG diagnosis facilitates timely management and planning for families and individuals with visual impairments.
Purpose Of Review:
The electroretinogram is an essential tool in the evaluation of the functional integrity of the retina, which may be especially useful in preverbal children. The present review describes the modifications needed for performing an electroretinogram in young children. Also, we present electroretinogram studies that have added to our understanding of the maturation of the visual system, the development of retinopathy of prematurity, and ametropia.
Recent Findings:
The selected articles were grouped into four subjects: the technical modifications for performing a pediatric electroretinogram, including the possible need for sedation, the patient's position, and the recording electrodes; the maturation of the electroretinogram in preterm infants and in the first years of life; advancements in the understanding of retinopathy of prematurity; and understanding the development of ametropia based on the electroretinogram findings.
Summary:
Although the technique for performing an electroretinogram must be modified for young children, when needed, it can and should be performed early in life. This will yield an early diagnosis that may be useful for planning family and personal life.
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