Motor nerve conduction velocities in low birth weight infants.

Serial nerve conduction velocities were performed during the first year of life on 8 term infants and 11 prematurely born infants weighing under 2,500 gm. The slowest velocities obtained at birth were in the most immature infants. By 12 months, the two groups had attained similar values. This technique affords an objective measurement of the maturity of the peripheral nervous system and the gestational age of the infant.