Ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials in children using air conducted sound stimulation.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (oVEMPs) in children and adults using air conducted sound stimulation to determine when oVEMP characteristic parameters in children reach adult levels. The relationships between oVEMP characteristics and structural factors were also investigated.

METHODS: In total, 15 healthy children (aged 3-13 years) and 15 healthy adults (aged 24-33 years) underwent a combined oVEMP and cVEMP test under 105 dBnHL acoustic stimulation.

RESULTS: Mean nI latency, pI latency, nI-pI interval and amplitude of oVEMPs of children did not differ significantly from those of adults. In contrast to oVEMPs, a significant difference in p13 cVEMP latency existed between children and adults. Correlating the structural factors with the characteristic parameters of oVEMPs did not show significant relationship. However, p13 and n23 latencies of cVEMPs in children were significantly related to the age, head girth, body height and body weight.

CONCLUSIONS: The non-invasive oVEMP test can quantitatively measure the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) system, which has similar characteristic parameters in children aged >3 years and adults. For children aged <3 years, modified methodologies for testing oVEMPs are warranted.

SIGNIFICANCE: The oVEMP test may serve as an effective diagnostic tool for evaluating the integrity of the VOR system for those >3 years old.