Vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) in young children: Test parameters and normative data

ObjectiveTo standardize the results of vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPS) in young children.MethodologyThe study group consisted of thirty-two children, their age ranged between 3 and 12 years with no history of systemic or local inner ear disorder and not suffering from either vestibular or musculo-skeletal disorder. Full neuro-otological history was taken followed by audiological evaluation. VEMP was recorded from the sternomastoid muscle, using alternating acoustic clicks presented at 90 dB nHL, at a rate of 5 Hz, analysis time was 50 ms. Two hundred sweeps were collected, amplified and recorded with band pass filter of 10 Hz to 1.5 kHz.ResultsVEMP was recorded in all children waves. PI and NI were identified in all children while PII and NII were identified in 10.7% only. Difficulties were met while trying to evaluate younger ones less than 5 years as they were restless when they were evaluated with sedation, this resulted in the absence of response due to reduced muscle tone. Differences in latencies and amplitudes should be considered as latencies were shorter and amplitudes were lesser than those obtained in adults.ConclusionVEMP could be applied as a complementary test to evaluate saccular and inferior vestibular nerve function in children.