All issues > Volume 46(8); 2003

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 2003;46(8):784-788. Published online August 15, 2003.

The Significance of the Early Electroencephalographic Findings in Severely Asphyxiated Newborn Infants

Jong Uk JU Lee¹, Won Joung WJ Choi¹, Chun Soo CS Kim¹, Sang Lak SL Lee¹, Jun Sik JS Kim¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea

Correspondence Sang Lak SL Lee ,Email: lsl@dsmc.or.kr

Abstract

Purpose
: Perinatal asphyxia occurring in newborn is one of the major causes of acute mortality and chronic neurological disability in survivors. We have studied the relationship between early electroencephalography(EEG) findings and clinical course and neurologic outcome in severe asphyxiated neonates.
Methods
: Between the period of July 1999 and June 2002, 25 neonates who were diagnosed with severe perinatal asphyxia(1-minute Apgar score of 3 and initial pH is less than 7.2) at NICU in Dongsan Medical Center were enrolled. An EEG was recorded and analyzed within three days of life and divided into two groups - group 1(normal or focal change on EEG) and group 2(generalized abnormal EEG). Between the two groups, clinical courses and neurologic outcomes were compared.
Results
: Fifteen infants(60%) were group 1 and ten infants(40%) were group 2(polyspikes, burst- suppression, generalized low voltage). Associated maternal disease, days of hospitalization, need for ventilator support, delay of oral feeding and convulsion duration are significantly higher and longer in group 2. Also, poor neurologic outcome(expire, developmental delay) was significantly higher in group 2(60%) than group 1(13.3%).
Conclusion
: Thus, the early neonatal EEG in asphyxiated newborn can be a predictable diagnostic tool in assessment of neurologic outcome.

Keywords :Severe perinatal asphyxia, EEG, Neurologic outcome