Somatosensory evoked potentials: Part I. A review of neural generators and special considerations in pediatrics.

Despite the recognition of evoked potentials in the late nineteenth century and the recording of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) in 1947, there still is much to be learned about the origin of the SEP and its applications, particularly in the field of pediatric neurology. We summarize relevant data from the literature concerning the neural sources and present the currently accepted generators of the various peripheral, subcortical, and cortical components. The importance of factors such as growth, maturation, and the effects of sedation and sleep are discussed. The clinical applications of SEPs in pediatric neurology will be presented in Part II.