Photo-evoked eyelid microvibration in newborn infants and children--reflex arc and maturational change

Electromyography and Clinical Neurophysiology
|November 1, 1989
PubMed

Insights

Photo-evoked eyelid microvibration (PEMV) latency shortens with age due to nerve myelination. This study establishes age-related normal values for PEMV, crucial for understanding neurological development and diagnosing related conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Biology
  • Ophthalmology

Background:

  • Photo-evoked eyelid microvibration (PEMV) is a reflex observed in humans.
  • The maturational process of PEMV and its underlying neural pathway are not fully understood.
  • Understanding PEMV development is important for assessing neurological function in infants and children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the maturational process of photo-evoked eyelid microvibration (PEMV) in newborns, children, and adults.
  • To establish age-related normal values for PEMV latency.
  • To explore the influence of specific neurological conditions and treatments on PEMV.

Main Methods:

  • Studied 166 newborns, 72 children, and 10 adults.
  • Measured the latency of photo-evoked eyelid microvibration (PEMV).
  • Analyzed age-related changes and evaluated effects of specific conditions.

Main Results:

  • PEMV latency significantly shortens with age, correlating with nerve fiber myelination.
  • Established age-related normal values for PEMV latency.
  • Observed alterations in PEMV due to retinoblastoma, facial nerve paralysis, holoprosencephaly, and muscle relaxants.

Conclusions:

  • Nerve myelination is a key factor in the maturation of the PEMV reflex pathway.
  • The study provides normative data for PEMV, aiding in the diagnosis of developmental and neurological disorders.
  • PEMV is a sensitive indicator of the integrity of the visual-oculomotor pathway.

Related Concept Videos

Reflex Activity01:08

Reflex Activity

A reflex activity is an automatic, involuntary response to specific stimuli. It is a part of our survival mechanism, designed to protect us from potential harm. For example, when a bright light suddenly shines into our eyes, we instinctively close them or look away. This is a simple reflex activity orchestrated by the nervous system without conscious thought or effort.
A reflex exam is a diagnostic procedure performed by a healthcare professional to evaluate the functionality of a patient's...
States of Arousal During Infancy01:30

States of Arousal During Infancy

States of arousal describe an infant’s physiological and behavioral condition during sleep, wakefulness, and activity. These states are regulated by the circadian rhythm, an internal biological clock that organizes daily patterns of rest and alertness. During infancy, arousal is commonly classified into five states: regular sleep, irregular sleep, drowsiness, alert inactivity, and waking activity.Regular and Irregular SleepDuring regular sleep, an infant’s eyes remain closed, breathing is slow...
Early Reflexes During Infancy01:26

Early Reflexes During Infancy

Early reflexes are automatic, involuntary responses to specific stimuli and provide information about neurological development during infancy. Some reflexes are present at birth or appear soon afterward. Known as primitive reflexes, they support early survival and adaptation.Primitive ReflexesPrimitive reflexes help newborns respond to their environment before voluntary motor control develops. The rooting reflex causes an infant to turn toward stimulation near the mouth, helping the infant...
Vision During Infancy and Toddlerhood01:23

Vision During Infancy and Toddlerhood

At birth, vision is the least developed of the major senses because the visual system is still structurally and neurologically immature. The retinas, optic nerves, and visual regions of the brain continue to mature after birth. As a result, newborns have limited visual acuity, or sharpness and clarity of vision, and respond best to objects viewed at close range, roughly 8 to 12 inches away.Rapid Visual DevelopmentVision improves rapidly during the first few months as infants observe and...
Perceptual Development During Infancy01:30

Perceptual Development During Infancy

Perceptual development enables infants to organize and interpret sensory information, helping them understand objects, distances, and surfaces in their environment. Two important aspects are depth perception and haptic perception. These abilities develop as infants gain sensory experience and their nervous systems mature.Development of Depth PerceptionDepth perception is the ability to see objects and surfaces in three dimensions and judge their relative distance. Infants gradually learn to use...
Gestures During Infancy and Toddlerhood01:29

Gestures During Infancy and Toddlerhood

Gestures are nonverbal movements of the hands, arms, or face that allow infants and toddlers to communicate emotions, needs, and intentions before speech develops. Gesture use generally appears before spoken language and decreases as vocabulary expands. For example, an 11-month-old may raise their arms to request being picked up, whereas an 18-month-old may say “up.”Types of GesturesChildren mainly use deictic and representational gestures. Deictic gestures emerge around six months and include...