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Short latency evoked somatosensory potentials after stimulation of the median nerve in children: normative data
Laura Doria-Lamba1, Luciano Montaldi, Paolo Grosso
1Department of Neurosciences, Ophtalmology and Genetics, University of Genova, Children Neuropsichiatry Operative Unit, G. Gaslini Institute, Genova, Italy. lauradoria@ospedale_gaslini.ge.it
Insights
This study established normative data for early cortical somatosensory evoked potentials in children. Latencies of N9, N13, and N20 components change with age due to central nervous system maturation and growth.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Clinical Electrophysiology
Background:
- Early cortical somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) are crucial for assessing neurological development.
- Establishing age-specific normative data is essential for accurate clinical interpretation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate early cortical SEPs following median nerve stimulation in a pediatric population.
- To determine age-dependent normative data for SEPs during maturation.
- To establish a growth curve for SEP components.
Main Methods:
- Median nerve stimulation was performed on 240 subjects aged 1 day to 18 years.
- Analysis focused on the latency of N9, N13, and N20 SEP components.
- Data were analyzed to establish normative standards across different age groups.
Main Results:
- The N9, N13, and N20 SEP components were consistently observed in all subjects.
- Component latencies showed a decrease until 4-5 years of age, correlating with central nervous system maturation.
- Following this period, latencies increased with age, reflecting brain and body growth into adulthood.
Conclusions:
- This study provides essential normative data for early cortical SEPs in children and adolescents.
- The findings highlight the dynamic changes in SEP latencies during neurodevelopment.
- These data are valuable for the clinical assessment of neurological function in pediatric populations.
Abstract:
Purpose of the present study was to investigate the early cortical somatosensory evoked potentials after median nerve stimulation and to determine normative data as a function of age. Two hundred forty subjects aged 1 day to 18 years were studied to determine standards of normality during maturation to establish the growth curve. The N9, N13, and N20 components were present in all patients. These components decreased in latency until 4 to 5 years of age because of central nervous system maturation after which latencies increased until adulthood, on the basis of brain and body growth.
