Absent Cyclicity on aEEG within the First 24 h is Associated with Brain Damage in Preterm Infants

Abstract

Our aim was to clarify the relationship between amplitude-integrated electroencephalographic (aEEG) findings before 24 h of age in preterm infants and neurodevelopmental outcome. 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. 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. Absent cyclicity on aEEG within 24 h of age was associated with poor outcome in preterm infants.