64. Characteristics of visual evoked potentials in infants who had severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia

Abstract

Introduction Auditory impairment due to neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is well known, nevertheless, there are few studies about the effects of this disease on visual pathway in pediatric patients. Objective To describe the characteristics of visual evoked potentials (VEP) in infants who had severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Material and methods A case series of infants who had neonatal hyperbilirubinemia eligible to exchange transfusion was conducted. VEP response and morphology, N75 and P100 latencies and P100 amplitude were determined. Results Seven infants were included, 57% were female and 43% male. 86% had at least one VEP anomaly, absence of response was the most severe anomaly in 28.6% of patients, while delayed P100 latency was the most frequent in 57.2%, with increments above the mean latency of 34.3 ms (CI95% 5.06–62.93 ms). No significant anomalies were detected for N75 latency and P100 amplitude. Conclusions Severe hyperbilirubinemia in infants frequently causes important visual anomalies. VEP are noninvasive and useful ancillary tests to evaluate visual pathway function in these patients, allowing their proper rehabilitation. Significance Early diagnosis of visual functional anomalies in these patients is of paramount importance.