PUDENDAL NERVE SOMATOSENSORY-EVOKED POTENTIALS IN PEDIATRICS - MATURATION ASPECTS

Pudendal nerve somatosensory evoked potentials (PN-SSEPs) were recorde d in 21 healthy children (age range: 3.3-13.3 years). The dorsal nerve of the penis/clitoris was stimulated and SSEPs were recorded at spina l L1-D12 and at cortical Cz'-Fz. Morphology, latency and amplitude of the cortical SSEPs were evaluated. A cortical response was obtained in all but two subjects, Cortical SSEPs were broader and less defined in shape in the youngest subjects. There was a progressive shortening of the latency of the P and N components during growth. Spinal responses were obtained only in 6 cases. Nine subjects also underwent tibial ne rve stimulation. Pudendal and tibial SSEPs differed in their degree of maturation. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.