Evaluating Neurological Outcomes in Neonates Through SSEP: A Review of Current Evidence
Unaiza Memon1, Faisal Jahngiri1, Emma Siddiqui1, Ubayd Isa1, Syed Habib1
1Unaiza Memon, Global Innervation LLC, Dallas, Texas, USA
Objective:
To systematically evaluate the current evidence regarding the use of SSEPs for assessing neurological function, predicting outcomes, and guiding early interventions in neonates.
Background:
The neonatal period is a crucial phase for brain development, particularly in preterm infants. Early detection of neurological dysfunction is challenging when relying solely on conventional imaging or clinical examinations. Somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) offer a noninvasive and objective method to assess cortical pathway integrity and maturation.
Design/Methods:
A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar from December 2024 to February 2025. Studies evaluating somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) in preterm neonates (<32 weeks’ gestation) and term neonates up to six months of age were included. Eligible studies were analyzed for feasibility, predictive accuracy, and integration with other neurophysiological modalities.
Results:
SSEPs were reliably recorded across neonatal populations, including preterm infants, using standard scalp electrode configurations. Posterior tibial SSEPs showed an 83% positive predictive value for cerebral palsy, outperforming cerebral ultrasound (17%) and visual evoked potentials (38%). SSEPs also demonstrated utility in intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring during procedures such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), correlating with neuroradiologic abnormalities. Despite promising predictive accuracy, variability in stimulation parameters, sample sizes, and lack of longitudinal follow-up limit clinical standardization.
Conclusions:
Somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) provide a robust, real-time biomarker for assessing neonatal neurodevelopment and prognosis. The integration of SSEP with multimodal monitoring, including electroencephalography (EEG), brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP), and motor evoked potentials (MEP), along with the establishment of standardized protocols, may enhance the early detection of neurological injury and improve outcomes in high-risk neonatal populations.
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