Sensory nerve conduction velocity in children using cerebral evoked potentials.

Sensory nerve conduction velocity was measured in 16 healthy volunteers from 3 to 16 years of age by using evoked cortical potentials. Using the latencies to the peaks of the 2nd and 3rd components (N1 and P2) of the average evoked response, conduction velocities for the wrist-to-elbow segment of the median nerve were found to have a range of 58 to 74 meters/second (m/s). Mean values using N1 and P2 were not significantly different. Conduction velocities in the same children obtained by stimulation of the median nerve at the elbow and wrist while recording the digital nerve action potential from the index finger had a range of 58 to 70 m/s. Mean values determined using cortical and digital potentials were not significantly different. In individual subjects, values obtained with the two techniques differed by 0 to 9 m/s using the N1 peak and 0 to 11 m/s using the P2 peak of the of the cortical potential. Reliable conduction velocity measurements for sensory nerves can be obtained in children using evoked cortical potentials with relatively simple methods. This technique has been successful when conventional methods did not detect peripheral sensory responses.