ABSTRACT 311

Abstract

Background and aims: Birth asphyxia is an important cause of static developmental and neurological handicap both in term and preterm infants. Early determination of brain damage following hypoxic-ischemic events remains one of the hardest problems in neonatal care. EEG is an excellent tool for diagnosing non-clinical seizures & to avoid a misdiagnosis of seizures in the presence of atypical nonictal neonatal behavior. Aims: The aim of this study was early detection of non-clinical seizures in neonates with perinatal asphyxia utilizing EEG monitor and to assess the short term outcome. Methods: 50 full term neonates with a history of perinatal asphyxia were considered in this study. Their GA ranged from 37 to 42 weeks. Neonates with congenital anomalies were excluded. The studied cases were divided into 2 groups according to presence or absence of clinical manifestation of seizure. All cases were monitored with EEG, and each group was subdivided based on the EEG discharges. Results: No significant difference between the studied groups regarding demographic, clinical, or laboratory data. 22% of the cases had clinical seizures while 78% had no clinical seizures. All of the cases with clinical seizures showed ictal EEG discharges, while 51% of the cases with no clinical seizures showed ictal EEG discharges (electrographic seizure). The most common EEG abnormalities were spikes and sharp waves. Three cases with electrographic seizers (15% of the electrographic seizures) died, while all other infants were discharged to home. Conclusions: Monitoring brain function of full term infants with HIE can detect brain seizure activity and help starting appropriate management and avoid further brain injury