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Published on: June 29, 2013
The pattern reversal VEP in short-gestation infants on taurine or taurine-free diet
G F Harding1, J Grose, A Y Wilton
1Department of Vision Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK.
Insights
This study investigated pattern reversal visual evoked potentials in premature infants, finding a significant decrease in response latency with increasing age. Taurine supplementation showed no impact on visual responses.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Visual evoked potential (VEP) to flash stimulation is well-documented in premature infants.
- VEP responses to pattern reversal stimuli during the preterm period have not been previously studied.
- Understanding visual pathway development in preterm infants is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate pattern reversal visual evoked potentials (PR-VEPs) in premature infants.
- To establish normative data for PR-VEPs during early development.
- To assess the impact of taurine supplementation on visual responses.
Main Methods:
- Pattern reversal visual evoked potentials (PR-VEPs) were recorded in 20 premature infants (32-35 weeks postmenstrual age) on at least two occasions between 32.5 and 52 weeks postmenstrual age.
- A handheld television presented pattern stimuli (7x7 mm checks, 78% contrast) at 20 cm distance.
- Flash visual evoked potentials and flash electroretinograms were also recorded for comparison.
Main Results:
- A positive component of the PR-VEP was observed with a mean latency of 320 msec at 32.5 weeks postmenstrual age.
- A significant negative correlation was found between age at recording and the latency of the major positive component (p < 0.0001).
- No significant differences in visual responses were observed between infants receiving breast milk substitute with or without taurine.
Conclusions:
- Pattern reversal visual evoked potentials mature significantly during the preterm and early post-term periods.
- The study provides initial data on PR-VEP development in this population.
- Taurine supplementation did not influence the measured visual pathway maturation in this cohort.
Abstract:
The visual evoked potential to flash stimulation has been studied in premature infants for many years. There have been no studies of the response to pattern reversal stimuli during the pre-term period, however. Twenty babies all born prematurely between 32 and 35 weeks post menstrual age had pattern reversal visual evoked potentials recorded on at least two occasions between the ages of 32.5 and 52 weeks post menstrual age with the first recording prior to reaching 40 weeks post menstrual age. The stimulator consisted of a small hand-held television with a 55 x 40 mm screen, and responses were averaged by a Cadwell 5200 averager. The check size was 7 X 7 mm and the contrast was 78%. The stimulator was held at a distance of 20 cm from the eyes. The angular subtense of the TV screen was 15.3 degrees X 11.31 degrees. On each occasion flash visual evoked potentials were obtained for comparison, as were flash electroretinograms recorded with a DTL electrode. The infants were randomly assigned to receive breast milk substitute with or without taurine. Pattern reversal responses consisted of a positive component with a mean latency of 320 msec at 32.5 weeks post menstrual age. The negative relationship between age at recording and the latency of the major positive component of the pattern reversal visual evoked potential was significant at p less than 0.0001. There was no apparent difference in the visual responses of the two groups.
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