Backgroundmedian, normative, potential, somatosensory: Somatosensory, evoked potentials (SSEPs) have been used to evaluate a variety of peripheral nerve disorders. Our study aimed to investigate the effect of gender on SSEP latencies in children.

Methods:   This cross sectional study included thirty (m= 15, f=15) healthy children of age 09 to 15 years. Bilateral median nerves were stimulated at the wrist. The montage derivations studied were: ipsilateral-contralateral Erb’s point; neck (C5S or C2S)-scalp (Fz); scalp (C3’ or C4’) - contralateral Erb’s point; and scalp (C3’ or C4’)-scalp (Fz). P14, N9 and N20 latencies were obtained. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze the results.

Results: The left median nerve SSEP latencies N9 (10.34±0.25ms vs. 10.02±0.28ms; p=0.028) and N20 (19.47±0.69 vs. 18.89±0.39ms; p=0.042) were significantly shorter in females. Right median SSEP latencies N9 (10.29±0.32ms vs. 10.12±0.31ms); N20 (19.56±0.23ms vs. 19.39±0.25ms) and P14 (13.06±1.28ms vs. 13.05±1.23ms) were comparable.

Conclusion: Most of the SSEP latencies were comparable between both genders with some exception. It provided a preliminary reference data of our pediatric population so that the inferences derived will be valid.