Abstract

Background: The neurological assessment of newborn babies is clinically difficult due to its subjectivity. H-reflex and H-reflex conduction velocity (HRCV) are especially useful in pediatric nerve conduction studies. It evaluates proximal segment of nerve which includes Ia sensory afferent and motor component of the peripheral nerve. Aims and Objectives: To assess the H-reflex latency (HRL) and HRCV in first 6 months of postnatal period and their correlation with other anthropometric variable such as weight, height, and head circumference.
Materials and Methods: 26 full-term babies between the age group from birth to 6 months of age were the study participants. HRL and HRCV were recorded in the right lower limbs at posterior tibial nerve-soleus muscle in all the babies.
Results: The values of HRCV had significantly increased at 3-6 months of age, and it was strongly correlated with HRL but weakly correlated with age of the babies. Conclusion: The proximal nerve conduction velocity i.e. HRCV was significantly increased from birth time to 3-6 months of age due to rapid myelination and maturation of nerve fibers. This rise in velocity has also maintained the HRL to a comparable level in all the babies even with the increment of height. The HRL and HRCV could be useful as a complementary method along with clinical examination to assess functional integrity of the spinal cord.