[Simplified electroretinography protocol and diagnosis of retinal dystrophies in children].
OBJECTIVE
To report results of a simplified electroretinogram in children.


METHODS
124 children under 6 years of age with nystagmus, blindness, neurological disease, cone rod dystrophy in the family, or abnormal fundus appearance were examined.


METHODS
The electroretinogram was recorded by corneal electrodes in an awake state without sedation. A light-emitting orange diode stimulator was used. Stimulation was performed subsequently after 3 minutes of light adaptation and after 8 minutes of darkness. If the electroretinogram was abnormal, a second recording was done a few weeks later using the same method. In some cases, the children were re-examined, and a ganzfeld stimulation ERG was recorded.


CONCLUSIONS
This method allowed a reliable diagnosis of photoreceptor dystrophy: Leber's congenital amaurosis with or without rare metabolic diseases, X link pigmentary retinopathy or retinal dystrophy with general disease in children. It helped to differentiate isolated retinal pigment changes with normal electroretinogram from functional retinal impairment and rod-cone dystrophy from other retinal dystrophies.
Dhellemmes
S D
SD
Service d'explorations fonctionnelles de la vision, Hôpital R. Salengro, CHRU de Lille.
Vincent
F
F
Arndt
C
C
Drumare
I B
IB
Hache
J C
JC
D000221:Adaptation, Ocular; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D004596:Electroretinography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012162:Retinal Degeneration / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors