Brainstem auditory evoked potentials and somatosensory evoked potentials in prediction of posttraumatic coma in children.

Follow-up brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) and somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) studies were performed within 72 hours after admission in 127 children with severe head injury (Glasgow Coma Scale score of < or = 8) in order to predict quo ad vitam outcome of posttraumatic coma. Outcomes were categorised as brain death and survival. On first assessment 50 comatose children had normal BAEPs and SEPs. 78% of them survived and 22% deteriorated and died. 45 had abnormal findings. 69% of them improved and survived whilst 31% deteriorated and died. 32 children did not have recordable BAEPs and SEPs. All of them died. Thus, comatose children with normal EP studies have in 78% good prognosis and a bad outcome can be reliably predicted.