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Electrophysiological studies in preterm and growth retarded low birth weight babies
1Department of Paediatrics, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.
Insights
Fullterm intrauterine growth retarded (FT-IUGR) babies showed better nerve function than preterm appropriate for gestational age (PT-AGA) infants. Severe growth restriction in FT-IUGR impacts nerve conduction similar to PT-AGA infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal neurology
- Pediatric neurophysiology
- Fetal development research
Background:
- Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) affects fetal development, potentially impacting neurological outcomes.
- Preterm infants appropriate for gestational age (PT-AGA) serve as a comparison group for neurological assessments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) and H-reflex latency (H-RL) between fullterm intrauterine growth retarded (FT-IUGR) and PT-AGA infants.
- To investigate the influence of growth retardation severity and symmetry on neurophysiological parameters in FT-IUGR infants.
Main Methods:
- Anthropometric measurements (weight, length, head circumference) were taken for 26 FT-IUGR and 17 PT-AGA infants.
- Motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) and H-reflex latency (H-RL) were assessed at the right median nerve.
Main Results:
- PT-AGA infants exhibited significantly lower MNCV and higher H-RL compared to FT-IUGR infants.
- Severe IUGR (1500-1800g) resulted in similar MNCV and H-RL between FT-IUGR and PT-AGA infants of comparable weight.
- FT-IUGR infants (1800-2100g) had better MNCV and lower H-RL than those weighing <1800g.
- Symmetrical IUGR (retardation in all three parameters) was associated with significantly lower MNCV and higher H-RL compared to asymmetrical IUGR in FT-IUGR infants.
Conclusions:
- FT-IUGR infants demonstrate generally superior nerve conduction compared to PT-AGA infants, suggesting differential impacts of growth restriction.
- The severity and symmetry of intrauterine growth retardation significantly modulate neurophysiological outcomes in affected infants.
Abstract:
Twenty-six fullterm intrauterine growth retarded (FT-IUGR) and 17 preterm appropriate for gestational age (PT-AGA) babies constituted study subjects. Offsprings were subjected to anthropometry (weight, crown-heel length and head circumference) and motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) as well as H-reflex latency (H-RL) at right median nerve. The PT-AGA babies had significantly lower MNCV and higher H-RL compared to FT-IUGR babies. When intrauterine growth retardation was severe (weight group 1500-1800 g) the means for MNCV and H-RL between FT-IUGR babies and PT-AGA babies of comparable weight were similar. FT-IUGR babies weighing between 1800-2100 g had significantly higher MNCV and lower H-RL compared to FT-IUGR babies weighing < 1800 g. The FT-IUGR babies where all the three anthropometric parameters were retarded (symmetrical intrauterine growth retardation) had significantly lower MNCV and higher H-RL compared to FT-IUGR babies where weight alone or in combination with crown-heel length was retarded.