Absent cyclicity on aEEG within the first 24 h is associated with brain damage in preterm infants

Abstract

Objective: Our aim was to clarify the relationship between amplitude-integrated electroencephalographic (aEEG) findings before 24 h of age in preterm infants and neurodevelopmental outcome.

Design: 12 infants born between 27 and 32 weeks of gestation were eligible. The recordings of aEEG and conventional EEG were started within 12 h after birth. The background aEEG findings were evaluated and classified. Additionally, we evaluated the absence or presence of changes on the lower border of the aEEG.

Results: All infants had discontinuous normal voltage background on aEEG, corresponding to decreased or normal continuity on conventional EEG. Cyclicity on aEEG was seen in 8 of 12 infants within 24 h of age, and all of these infants had favourable outcomes. Cyclicity on aEEG was not recognized in 4 infants. 3 of the 4 infants with absent cyclicity had abnormal neurodevelopmental outcomes at 12 months. One of these infants had intraventricular haemorrhage (grade 2) with delayed development, and 2 had cystic periventricular leukomalacia followed by spastic diplegia.

Conclusion: Absent cyclicity on aEEG within 24 h of age was associated with poor outcome in preterm infants.