Visual-evoked potentials in neonates following asphyxia

Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) are easily recorded in the neonatal intensive care setting using light-emitting diode goggles as the flash stimulus. They are sensitive measures of CNS integrity and are altered or abolished by hypoxia. Prognosis in newborns with birth asphyxia or hypoxia is difficult to predict; however, the VEPs have been shown to be very helpful. Absent VEPs carry a poor prognosis; persistently abnormal, i.e., beyond 1 week, also predict abnormal outcome. Normal VEPs by 1 week have an accuracy rate around 90% for normal outcome.