Significance of amplitude integrated electroencephalogram in screening of neonatal seizures

Abstract

Objective To study the evaluative values of amplitude integrated electroencephalogram (aEEG) in screening neonatal seizures.Methods The aEEG and video electroencephalogram (VEEG) on 32 patients with seizures hospitalized in Peking University First Hospital was conducted on the same day.The parameters of aEEG including the integrated spectra band,background rhythm and primitive electro signal were analyzed and compared with VEEG.Results Seizures presented clinically by 12 cases were detected by VEEG,and their electric discharges were detected by aEEG.The sensitivity of aEEG was 100%.VEEG showed electric discharges during intermediate stage in twenty cases and thus the seventeen of this group were detected by aEEG with its sensitivity of 87% and 100% in the specificity.The positive and negative predictive values of aEEG were 80% and 100%,respectively.But aEEG could not discriminate the attack stage or intermediate stage electric discharges.The abnormal background activity was detected by VEEG in 13 cases and the sensitivity of aEEG was 100% and the specificity was 83%.The positive and negative predictive value by aEEG were 76% and 100% respectively.The electric discharges of 32 cases were detected by VEEG whenever they were in attack stage or intermediate stage.All electric discharges could be detected through primitive electro signal by aEEG.The electric discharges in 3 cases were not detected by integrated spectra band from aEEG,but were detected by primitive electro signal from aEEG.Conclusions The sensitivity and specificity in the screening of neonatal seizures by aEEG is useful and could be applied clinically as a simple and safe screening method for recognizing neonatal seizures. Key words: Electroencephalography; Infant,newborn; Seizures; Sensitivity and specificity