Abstract
Purpose: The flash visually evoked potential (VEP) may be a useful indicator of visual and/or neurological prognosis following premature birth. A range of flash intensities was used to investigate maturation of the visual pathway in preterm infants.Methods: Subjects were a consecutive group of 20 healthy preterm infants born at under 35 weeks gestation (29–35 weeks). VEPs in response to two flash intensities were recorded at 3 days of age and at term age (ISCEV standard protocol). The infant's sleep state was recorded for each test.Results: Flash VEPs were consistently recordable in preterm infants. The most prominent component was a simple negativity (N3) approximately 300 ms after the flash. Its position and amplitude were unaffected by flash intensity, state or age (ANOVA). By term age, the P2 was the prominent component of the flash VEP. Its amplitude increased significantly with flash intensity (P < 0.01 repeat measures ANOVA) but its latency was unaffected.Conclusions: The flash VEP between 29 and 35 weeks gestation is relatively invariant and shows little or no effect of stimulus intensity. In contrast, flash VEPs in term age infants have a P2 component which reflects stimulus brightness and sleep state.Funded by The Scottish Office, Department of Home and Health.
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