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Neuropediatrics 1989; 20(2): 64-72
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1071267
Original article

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Serial EEGs in Normal and Abnormal Infants with Birth Weights Less than 1200 Grams - A Prospective Study with Long Term Follow-Up*

B. R. Tharp1 , M. S. Scher2 , R. R. Clancy3
  • 1Division of Pediatric Neurology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California 94305
  • 2Present address: Childrens Hospital, EEG Laboratory, 125 Desoto Street, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania 15213
  • 3Present address: Division of Neurology, Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA
* Supported in part by NIH grant NS12151 and by a Premature Research Center grant RR-00081.
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Publication History

Publication Date:
19 March 2008 (online)

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Abstract

Serial EEGs were recorded during the postnatal period from 62 infants with birth weights ≤ 1200 gms. Neurological examinations were performed in proximity to the EEG and each infant had at least one imaging study of the brain in the immediate postnatal period. All infants were examined at 2-3 years age.

Neurological sequelae were seen in all infants with markedly abnormal neonatal EEGs and in the majority of those with persistently moderately abnormal tracings. A particularly unique EEG abnormality consisting of an arrest of maturation of cerebral electrical activity was seen in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia who suffered neurological sequelae. A persistently asymmetric EEG background was recorded in infants with hemispheric pathology who were found to have hemisyndromes at long term follow-up.

Serial EEGs were better predictors of long term outcome than imaging studies and the neurological examination.

Key words

EEG - Neonate - Premature - Bronchopulmonary dysplasia - Long-term outcome