Predictive value of electroencephalography for developmental outcome at 6 month of age in full term neonates with seizures

Abstract

Background: Electroencephalography (EEG) is an important tool to evaluate infant with symptoms refer to central nervous system. The objective of the work was to study the predictive value of EEG for developmental outcome in full term neonates with seizures at 6 month of age.Methods: This was prospective observational study at tertiary care centre, Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal. The participants were full term hospitalized neonates with documented seizures. Newborns admitted for complaints other than seizure, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) stage I, preterm and neonates born to mother on anti-epileptic therapy were excluded from the study.Results: Out of total 54 registered neonates 7 expired and 5 lost to follow up. In remaining 42 cases, 18 (42.9%) had generalized discharge, 8 (19%) had focal and 3 (7.1%) had multifocal discharge while 22 (52.3%) had normal EEG patterns. HIE being the most common cause and subtle seizure being the most common type of seizures. On follow up at 6 month, all neonates with normal EEG pattern (n=22) had normal developmental outcome. Out of 20 neonates with abnormal EEG discharges, 13(65%) had developmental delay while 7 (35%) had normal development for age.Conclusions: EEG could be a simple and cost effective prognostic tool where neonates presenting with seizure. Newborn with abnormal discharge should be closely monitored on DDST for early identification and early intervention.