Electrophysiological parameters in children reflect not only pathological processes, but also maturation of the visual system. This review investigates PERG and PVEP changes in infants and schoolchildren in order to establish the time scale for electrophysiological maturation of the visual system. Studies using pattern-reversal and pattern-onset stimulation are presented. Maturational changes have been found to be rapid in infants and gradual in schoolchildren. PERG age-related changes in infants were seen as a decrease in latency and in schoolchildren as a decrease in amplitude. PVEP age-related changes in infants were seen as a decrease in latency, an increase in amplitude and the development of the waveform. In schoolchildren, PVEP changes were more gradual, with a decrease in latency, a decrease in amplitude and transformation of the waveform. In conclusion, electrophysiological maturation proceeds until adulthood. Therefore, in paediatric clinical work, normative values in infants and schoolchildren are an important factor in differentiating maturation of the visual system from pathological processes.

We determined the role of mechanical decompression in the resolution of unicameral bone cyst. A total of 69 children with unicameral bone cysts were treated either by (i) open curettage and bone grafting, (ii) steroid injection or (iii) cannulated screw insertion. During a mean follow-up of 69 months (range, 12-58), the cysts were evaluated by radiological criteria. The healing rates in the three groups were 25, 12 and 29% after the first treatment, and a further 50, 19 and 65% after the second. The study has demonstrated the advantages of the decompression technique for unicameral bone cysts over other treatment modalities studied.

These findings indicate the expected maturation of flash, reversal and onset VEPs, and demonstrate their correlation to normal development of visual acuity. Maturation of VEP latencies is associated with development of visual acuity.