| Abstract: | Evoked potentials (EP) represent a valuable addition to currently applied diagnostic methods in neuropediatrics. Profound knowledge of the neurophysiological conditions producing EP-alterations allows basic conclusions, that cannot be gained or replaced by other investigations. EP-investigation demonstrate the existence but not the nature of a lesion in the CNS. Further diagnostic work-up usually will be necessary. Proved EP-alterations produce reproducible diagnostic results and give clues regarding its localization. Evoked potentials can be used as a screening-method for neuropediatric diseases. By follow-up examinations it is possible to show, wether there is progression or not. Testing for evoked potentials is indicated in suspected cerebral palsy in infants, in all cases of psychomotor retardation of unknown origin, impairment of vision or hearing, in cases of brain trauma or in suspected brainstem process, lesions of N. opticus or visual projective systems, neurometabolic or degenerative CNS disease, phacomatosis, progressive myoclonic epilepsy, ceroidlipofuscinosis Jansky-Bielschowski, benign partial epilepsy with extreme somatosensory evoked potentials, Ramsey-Hunt-Syndrome and aplasia of the corpus callosum. |
