Electrophysiological studies in preterm and growth retarded low birth weight babies.

Twenty-six fullterm intrauterine growth retarded (FT-IUGR) and 17 preterm appropriate for gestational age (PT-AGA) babies constituted study subjects. Offsprings were subjected to anthropometry (weight, crown-heel length and head circumference) and motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) as well as H-reflex latency (H-RL) at right median nerve. The PT-AGA babies had significantly lower MNCV and higher H-RL compared to FT-IUGR babies. When intrauterine growth retardation was severe (weight group 1500-1800 g) the means for MNCV and H-RL between FT-IUGR babies and PT-AGA babies of comparable weight were similar. FT-IUGR babies weighing between 1800-2100 g had significantly higher MNCV and lower H-RL compared to FT-IUGR babies weighing < 1800 g. The FT-IUGR babies where all the three anthropometric parameters were retarded (symmetrical intrauterine growth retardation) had significantly lower MNCV and higher H-RL compared to FT-IUGR babies where weight alone or in combination with crown-heel length was retarded.