Establishment of electroencephalographic synchrony and continuity pattern along with disappearance of trace alternant in full-term newborns in a longitudinal pattern up to twelve months of age

Abstract

Background: This study is concerned with the changes of electroencephalographic (EEG) from immature neonatal to the development of mature normal EEG pattern with special attention given to the infant’s age (0–12 months), growth, and developmental level. Aims and Objectives: The objective is to study serially development of specific EEG patterns in infants, i.e., from birth to 12 months of age. Materials and Methods: This is a longitudinal follow-up study conducted on 50 (27 female and 23 male) healthy, normal, full-term infants delivered vaginally in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Medical College and Hospital, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, starting from the birth to 12 months of age in normal environment in the Department of Physiology EEG-unit for 60 min in 5 different visits, i.e., at birth/0–2 week, 3-month, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months. Result: This study provides clearly established strong changes in EEG wave pattern and their appearances with increased speed of response, which are most clearly visible from the time of birth, 3–6 months, and at 12 months of age. These marked changes of EEG may be associated with language and other motor milestone development. Conclusion: Sleep characteristics during this period may have predictive value in the assessment of future neurodevelopmental conditions. The study also concluded that the percent of time that infants spend in sleep decreased sharply from 3 to 6 months, but the sleep cycle becomes more defined. The duration of infant’s sleep did not change significantly across the 1st year, but the percent of time spent in active sleep is markedly decreased, i.e., ≤25%, and the sleep progresses toward maturity which is confirmed by the establishment of continuity, symmetrical synchronous EEG pattern, and the disappearance of neonatal trace alternant, along with the focusing on measurement of weight and head circumference.