J Korean Pediatr Soc.  2003 Aug;46(8):784-788.

The Significance of the Early Electroencephalographic Findings in Severely Asphyxiated Newborn Infants

• Lee JU
• Choi WJ
• Kim CS
• Lee SL
• Kim JS

Abstract

PURPOSE
Perinatal asphyxia occurring in newborn is one of the major causes of acute mortality and chronic neurological disability in survivors. We have studied the relationship between early electroencephalography(EEG) findings and clinical course and neurologic outcome in severe asphyxiated neonates.
METHODS
Between the period of July 1999 and June 2002, 25 neonates who were diagnosed with severe perinatal asphyxia(1-minute Apgar score of < or =3 and initial pH is less than 7.2) at NICU in Dongsan Medical Center were enrolled. An EEG was recorded and analyzed within three days of life and divided into two groups - group 1(normal or focal change on EEG) and group 2(generalized abnormal EEG). Between the two groups, clinical courses and neurologic outcomes were compared.
RESULTS
Fifteen infants(60%) were group 1 and ten infants(40%) were group 2(polyspikes, burst- suppression, generalized low voltage). Associated maternal disease, days of hospitalization, need for ventilator support, delay of oral feeding and convulsion duration are significantly higher and longer in group 2. Also, poor neurologic outcome(expire, developmental delay) was significantly higher in group 2(60%) than group 1(13.3%).
CONCLUSION
Thus, the early neonatal EEG in asphyxiated newborn can be a predictable diagnostic tool in assessment of neurologic outcome.

Keyword

Severe perinatal asphyxia; EEG; Neurologic outcome

MeSH Terms

Apgar Score
Asphyxia
Electroencephalography
Hospitalization
Humans
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Infant, Newborn*
Mortality
Seizures
Survivors
Ventilators, Mechanical