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How to Obtain Reliable Visual Event-related Potentials in Newborns
Published on: October 24, 2019
Delayed maturation of P2 flash visual evoked potential (VEP) latency in newborns of gestational diabetic mothers
Lauren C Shuffrey1, Cynthia Rodriguez2, Daianna J Rodriguez2
1Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, United States of America; Division of Developmental Neuroscience, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10032, United States of America.
Insights
Infants exposed to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) show delayed cortical maturation, indicated by longer P2 visual evoked potential (VEP) latency. This suggests VEPs can identify early developmental differences in GDM-exposed newborns.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Background:
- Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) prevalence is rising globally.
- Limited research exists on early brain development in infants born to mothers with GDM.
- This study investigates visual evoked potentials (VEPs) in GDM-exposed infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess early brain development in infants born to mothers with GDM.
- To evaluate visual evoked potentials (VEPs) as a marker of cortical maturation.
- To compare VEP parameters between GDM-exposed infants and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 73 neonates (37 with GDM exposure).
- Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) recorded via EEG during natural sleep.
- Stroboscopic flashes presented to assess P2 latency, controlling for gestational age, postnatal age, and sex.
Main Results:
- P2 VEP latency correlated negatively with gestational and postnatal age.
- Infants exposed to GDM exhibited significantly longer P2 VEP latency compared to controls.
- This difference remained significant after controlling for confounding factors.
Conclusions:
- P2 flash VEP latency may serve as a sensitive measure of cortical maturation.
- Prolonged P2 latency in GDM-exposed infants suggests potential markers of immature development.
- VEPs offer a valuable tool for assessing neurodevelopmental outcomes in GDM-exposed infants.
Background:
The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has rapidly increased, yet few prior studies have investigated parameters of early brain development in infants born to gestational diabetic mothers. The present study assessed visual evoked potentials (VEPs) in healthy infants born to gestational diabetic mothers and matched controls.
Methods:
After exclusions, in this prospective study we examined VEPs in 73 neonates between 37 weeks and 41 weeks gestation at birth (n = 37 infants of gestational diabetic mothers). Stroboscopic flashes were presented through closed eyelids during passive electroencephalography (EEG) recording to derive VEP waveforms during natural sleep.
Results:
There was a statistically significant moderate correlation between gestational age at birth and P2 latency of the flash VEP where P2 latency significantly decreased with increasing gestational age (Pearson's R(73) = -0.32, p < .01). There was also a significant moderate correlation between postnatal age (hours of life) and P2 latency of the flash VEP where P2 latency significantly decreased with increasing postnatal age (Pearson's R(73) = -0.23, p < .05). When controlling for gestational age at birth, postnatal age, and sex, there was a significant effect of group (GDM-exposed vs. control) on P2 latency of the flash VEP (p < .05). Infants of gestational diabetic mothers had a significantly longer P2 latency (M: 215.29 ± SD: 2.58 ms) than controls (M: 206.41 ± SD: 2.62 ms).
Conclusion:
Our findings suggest P2 flash VEP latency is a potential measure of cortical maturation and marker of immature development in infants of gestational diabetic mothers.
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