Electroencephalogram and brainstem auditory evoked potential in 539 patients with central coordination disorder

BACKGROUND： Electroencephalogram （EEG） and brainstem auditory evoked potential （BAEP） are objective non-invasive means of measuring brain electrophysiology. OBJECTIVE： To analyze the value of EEG and BAEP in early diagnosis, treatment and prognostic evaluation of central coordination disorder. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： This case analysis study was performed at the Rehabilitation Center of Hunan Children＇s Hospital from January 2002 to January 2006. PARTICIPANTS： A total of 593 patients with severe central coordination disorder, comprising 455 boys and 138 girls, aged 1-6 months were enrolled for this study. METHODS： EEG was monitored using electroencephalography. BAEP was recorded using a Keypoint electromyogram device. Intelligence was tested by professionals using the Gesell scale. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： （1） The rate of abnormal EEG and BAEP, （2） correlation of abnormalities of EEG and BAEP with associated injuries, （3） correlation of abnormalities of EEG and BAEP with high risk factors. RESULTS： The rate of abnormal EEG was 68.6% （407/593 patients）, and was increased in patients who also had mental retardation （P 〈 0.05）. The rate of abnormal BAEP was 21.4% （127/593 patients）. These 127 patients included 67 patients （52.8%） with peripheral auditory damage and 60 patients （47.2%） with central and mixed auditory damage. The rate of abnormal BAEP was significantly increased in patients who also had mental retardation （P 〈 0.01 ）. Logistic regression analysis showed that asphyxia （P 〈 0.05）, jaundice, preterm delivery, low birth weight and the umbilical cord around the neck were closely correlated with abnormal EEG in patients with central coordination disorder, lntracranial hemorrhage, jaundice （P 〈 0.05）, low birth weight and intrauterine infection （P 〈 0.05） were closely correlated with abnormal BAEP in patients with central coordination disorder. CONCLUSION： Central coordination disorder is often associated with abnormal EEG and BAEP. The rate of EEG or BAEP abnormality is positively associated with the size of the brain injury. Asphyxia is a high risk factor for abnormal EEG in central coordination disorder. Jaundice and intrauterine infection are high risk factors for abnormal BAEP in central coordination disorder.