Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2025
08:38
Electroretinogram Recording for Infants and Children under Anesthesia to Achieve Optimal Dark Adaptation and International Standards
Published on: September 3, 2020
6.1K
Flicker electroretinogram in preterm infants
Aylin F Taner1, James V M Hanson1, Caroline Weber2
1Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Eye (London, England)
|May 23, 2024
Summary
This study found that flicker electroretinograms (ERGs) are feasible in preterm infants. Very preterm infants showed higher retinal amplitudes, suggesting accelerated development possibly due to visual stimulation.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Preterm infants are at risk for retinopathy of prematurity, impacting retinal function.
- Electroretinography (ERG) is used to measure retinal function abnormalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To record non-invasive flicker ERGs in preterm infants.
- To compare retinal function between moderate and very/extremely preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- 40 moderate preterm and 40 very/extremely preterm infants underwent flicker ERG recording.
- The RETeval® device with skin electrodes was used for closed-eyelid recordings.
- Stimuli at 28.3 Hz and varying intensities (3-50 cd•s/m²) were presented; peak time and amplitude were primary endpoints.
Main Results:
- Flicker ERGs were recordable in most infants, with best reproducibility at 30 cd•s/m².
- ERG amplitudes increased with stimulus intensity.
- Significantly greater amplitudes were observed in very/extremely preterm infants at the highest stimulus level (p<0.001).
Conclusions:
- Collecting flicker ERG data in preterm infants is feasible.
- No evidence of reduced retinal responses was found in extremely preterm infants.
- Higher amplitudes in very/extremely preterm infants may indicate accelerated retinal development driven by visual input.
