EFFECTS OF BILIRUBIN ON VISUAL-EVOKED POTENTIALS IN TERM INFANTS

To determine bilirubin-induced neurotoxicity, serial visual evoked pot entials (VEPs) of 72 infants with neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia and 22 controls were evaluated and compared in four sessions for 8 weeks afte r birth. The levels of maximal serum bilirubin were found positively r elated to the wave latencies of first VEP. Within 8 weeks after birth, the wave latencies were significantly prolonged in infants in the sev ere and moderate groups than in the controls. The amplitudes of VEPs w ere apparently lower in se vere and moderate groups than in the contro l group only in the Ist week after birth. At 1 year, 4 of the 18 infan ts in the severe group had poor motor skills and one had general hypot onia. Conclusion These results suggest that bilirubin may affect the v isual pathways, and that VEP is a useful adjunct to the neurological a ssessment of neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia.