Electroencephalogram and flash visual evoked potentials for detecting periventricular leukomalacia

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a combination of electroencephalogram (EEG) and flash visual evoked potentials (FVEPs) for predicting periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) in the early days of life.

Study design: Eighty-six of 108 infants admitted to Anjo Kosei Hospital during 1998 through 2000 were enrolled in this study. All subjects underwent EEG and FVEP during the early neonatal period and were followed-up until 18 months of corrected age. EEG was performed once within 72 h after birth, every 1-2 weeks during the first month and every 2-4 weeks during the second month. FVEPs were recorded at least twice, at the first and the second week of life.

Results: Of the 86 infants, 13 were diagnosed as having PVL. Among them, EEG abnormalities were observed in 11 infants and FVEP abnormalities in 10. The sensitivity and specificity of EEG were 0.85 and 0.95, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of FVEPs were 0.77 and 0.96, respectively. All except one (92%) infant with PVL had EEG and/or FVEP abnormalities.

Conclusions: The combination of EEG and FVEPs can increase the sensitivity, but reduces the specificity to identify infants with PVL. The combination can makes up for the shortcomings of each method.