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Neuropediatrics 1993; 24(6): 307-312
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1071562
Original article

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Somatosensory Evoked Potentials and Cognitive Sequelae in Children with Closed Head-Injury

M. B M. Ruijs1,3 , A.  Keyser1 , F.J. M. Gabreëls2 , S. L. H. Notermans3
  • 1Institute of Neurology, St. Radboud University Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
  • 2Department of Child Neurology, St. Radboud University Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
  • 3Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, St. Radboud University Hospital, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Publication History

Publication Date:
19 March 2008 (online)

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Abstract

In search of a prognostic indicator for residual cognitive function loss in children after closed head-injury, the somatosensory evoked potential P300 has been studied in a prospective follow-up study of 17 patients with mild and moderately severe head-injuries. The P300 response was measured in the acute phase after patients regained consciousness. In addition the duration of coma and of post-traumatic amnesia were recorded. An age-matched control group of 20 healthy children supplied age-related normative evoked potential data. During a two-years follow-up period the presence of residual disorders in various faculties was evaluated at fixed time intervals after discharge. Correlation analyses revealed that, where the duration of coma and of post-traumatic amnesia qualify as general predictors of sequelae, the long-latency somatosensory evoked potential P300 correlated specifically with long-term deficits in the field of school performance.

BAEP Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential
CHI Closed Head-Injury
EMV Eye opening, Motor response, Verbal response
EP Evoked Potential
GOS Glasgow Outcome Score
PTA Post-Traumatic Amnesia
SEP Somatosensory Evoked Potential
VEP Visual Evoked Potential

Key words

Somatosensory evoked potential - Closed head-injury - Cognitive sequelae

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