Visual evoked potentials in infants of diabetic mothers: Relations to clinical and metabolic status during pregnancy and delivery

Objective: To evaluate Visual Evoked Potentials (VEPS) and psychomotor development of infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs) in relation to clinical and metabolic data during pregnancy and delivery. Methods: VEPs and psychomotor development (Brunet-Lezine) were analysed in 40 two-month-old IDMs (21 males, 19 females), 24 from mothers with type-1 diabetes, 13 gestational diabetes, and 3 type-2 diabetes. Normative VEP data were obtained from 63 age matched controls. Results: VEP latencies were significantly longer in IDMs than in controls (O1 wave IV 197.9 +/- 35.5 vs 155.3 +/- 30.3; P < 0.001 : O2 wave IV = 200.2 +/- 33.8 vs 155,6 +/- 29.0; P < 0.001). The mean developmental quotient was normal. In IDMs with type-1 diabetes delayed VEPs were related to increased weight during pregnancy (r 0.516; P 0.009), 1st trimester fasting blood glucose (r 0.458: P 0.037), insulin requirement during the 2nd (r 0.441; P 0.035) and 3rd trimester (r 0.422: P 0.039); in IDMs with gestational diabetes, VEP latency showed negative relation to Apgar scores (r -0.748; P 0.008). Conclusions: IDMs have delayed VEPs, which may possibly be related to poor metabolic control in pregestational diabetes, and to delivery complications in gestational diabetes. Significance: IDMS show subtle neurophysiologic changes detectable by VEPs. 2009 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.