106. Combined Electroneurographic and Muscular ultrasound study in healthy neonatal and adult-juvenile populations: Maturational aspects

Abstract

We used combined Electroneurography and Muscular-UltraSound study (c-ENG-MUS) to evaluate the morpho-functional neuromuscular aspects in healthy neonatal and adult-juvenile populations. The Tibial Anterior muscle was evaluated in 17 neonates, 10 Full-terms (38–40 ws)/ 7 preterms (32–36 ws) and in 11 young adults (19–45 ys) by c-ENG-MUS, measuring: (1) Onset-Peak (OP) and peak-to-peak (PP) amplitudes of maximum Motor-Compound-Action-Potential (mCMAP); (2) maximum Muscular Thickness (mMT); (3) MT at mCMAP’s detection point (mCMAP-MT). In preterms we performed serial studies until the term-age. (Study approved by the Local-Ethics-Committee). In newborns the OP- and PP-mCMAP amplitudes didn’t correlate linearly, unlike the adults; in the newborns’ and adults’ populations the mCMAP-MT and mMT values linearly relate. In newborns, the mCMAP’s amplitude and MT’s absolute value were about half of the adults’ ones. The detection points of mCMAP and mMT didn’t correspond. In preterms the values of mCMAP-amplitude and mMT proportionally increased to the postconceptional-age. The values of mCMAP-amplitude, mMT and mCMAP-MT significantly differed in neonates (full-terms and preterms) respect the adults because of the effect of age. There was no correlation between the mCMAP-amplitude and mMT (no significant site-effect). c-ENG-MUS is a quiclky and easy technique to evaluate the neuromuscular functional and morphological maturational processes.