Visual evoked potentials, intracranial pressure and ventricular size in hydrocephalus.

Hydrocephalus in the newborn is frequently seen associated with perinatal asphyxia, birth trauma, or intracranial hemorrhage. Hydrocephalus produces enlargement of the cerebral ventricles and raised intracranial pressure secondary to increases in the amount of cerebrospinal fluid. In this study the relationship between the visual evoked potential and ventricular size in infantile hydrocephalus was investigated. Statistical analysis was used to define them and the role of the visual evoked potential in the clinical and structural assessment of infantile hydrocephalus. The results of these investigations demonstrated a significant relationship between ventricular size and evoked potential parameters and confirmed the usefulness of the flash visual evoked potential examination in the assessment of infants with hydrocephalus.