Prognostic significance of the electrically elicited blink reflex in neonates

The electrically elicited blink reflex was examined in ten normal neonates, 11 postasphyxial neonates, and 3 congenital hydrocephalus cases. The blink reflex was elicited in all cases. In normal neonates, the latencies and amplitudes were 10.9 +/- 0.7 msec and 159 +/- 62 microV at R1, 34.3 +/- 1.4 msec and 123 +/- 30 microV at R2, and 40.7 +/- 2.3 msec and 84 +/- 25 microV at R'2 respectively. Ischemic-hypoxic brain damage during the neonatal period mainly influenced the late components of the blink reflex. The blink reflex of the postasphyxial neonates showed significantly prolonged latencies of R2 and R'2. The amplitudes were increased in cases with a fair prognosis and decreased in cases with a poor prognosis. A case of congenital hydrocephalus with mental retardation also showed the prolonged latencies of R2 and R'2 in neonatal period. The blink reflex in neonates appears to be useful in predicting the outcome in cases of neonatal asphyxia and congenital hydrocephalus.