Development of vestibular evoked myogenic potentials in early life.
OBJECTIVE
This study applied vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) test in full-term newborns younger than 2 weeks, to investigate the development and maturation of the sacculo-collic reflex in early life.


METHODS
A total of 45 full-term newborns were divided into two groups. Group A consisted of 35 newborns aged 2-5 days and group B included 10 newborns aged 6-13 days. During natural sleep, each newborn underwent distortion product otoacoustic emission test, followed by VEMP test without sedation.


RESULTS
The response prevalence of VEMPs increases from day 2 to 5. The p13 peak latency is delayed at day 3, yet falls subsequently by day 5 and remains stable thereafter, with a mean latency of 13.3+/-0.8ms.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of healthy full-term newborns demonstrate VEMPs by day 5, with a mean p13 latency of 13.3+/-0.8ms. This criteria can be used to evaluate the development and maturation of the sacculo-collic reflex in newborns, which is responsible, at least in part, for detecting changes in head position in relation to gravity.
Young
Yi-Ho
YH
Department of Otolaryngology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. youngyh@ntu.edu.tw
Chen
Chun-Nan
CN
Hsieh
Wu-Shiun
WS
Wang
Shou-Jen
SJ
D003056:Cochlear Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D004576:Electromyography; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D014724:Vestibular Function Tests / Q000379:methods; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000502:physiology*