A study of peripheral nerve function in neonates and infants.

Motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity, H-reflex and F-response have been studied in the age group showing maximum changes i.e. neonates and infants. The nerve conduction velocity in upper and lower limbs was 25 M/S and 23.75 M/S respectively in neonate age group; 34.4 M/S and 32.4 M/S respectively in infant group. A significant relationship of age with nerve conduction parameters (velocity, terminal latency) has been observed in infants group but not so in neonate group. H-reflex (late response) was elicited in both Abductor Pollicis Brevis and Soleus. It was present in small muscles of hand (i.e. APB) in all the neonates and 55% of the infants only. This could be attributed to immaturity of nervous system. However, in the lower limb, H-reflex could be elicited in 100% of infants and neonates. In the present study, the relationship of age and height with different nerve conduction parameters as well as H-reflex (latency) has been highlighted.