Affiliations: Pediatric Clinic Aristotle University of Thessaloniki,
General Hospital 'Ippokratio', Thessaloniki, Greece | Opthalmological Department, General Hospital
'Ippokratio', Thessaloniki, Greece | 2nd Neurological Clinic, Aristotle University
of Thessaloniki, General Hospital 'Achepa', Thessaloniki, Greece
Abstract: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between
abnormal visual evoked potential (VEP) findings and different
clinico-radiological parameters in children with bilateral spastic cerebral
palsy (CP). Seventy-two CP children (age range 18–96 months, mean age 36
months) was participated in this study. Data were collected retrospectively
regarding patient's age, type of CP, pre-, peri- and postnatal events, and
history of epilepsy. Evaluation of developmental quotient, and visual function,
VEP, brainstem evoked potentials, electroencephalogram and magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) of the brain, were performed in all patients. Forty-three
(59.7%) patients demonstrated abnormal VEP. Abnormal VEP were statistically
correlated with motor deficit (spastic tetraplegia 86.4%; P = 0.006),
abnormal electroencephalogram (62.7%; P < 0.001), abnormal MRI findings
(periventricular leukomalacia alone 60.4%; P < 0.001 or with
hypoxic-ischemic lesions 22.2%; P = 0.038, retrospectively), poor visual
acuity (44%; P = 0.018) and low developmental quotient < 40 (79%;
P = 0.020). We conclude that abnormal VEP in children with bilateral spastic
CP demonstrate a statistically significant correlation with the presence of
spastic tetraplegia, epilepsy, periventricular leukomalacia with or without
hypoxic-ischemic lesions in brain MRI, low visual acuity, and moderate to
severe developmental delay. Since VEP constitute a non-invasive
neurophysiological procedure, it should be incorporated in the diagnostic
work-up of children with bilateral spastic CP.
