from Section 3 - Diagnosis of the infant with brain injury
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 January 2010
Introduction
The goal of this chapter is to help the reader understand the fundamentals of neonatal electroencephalography (EEG), including the source of EEG signals and the technical aspects of a well-performed EEG. Particular attention will be paid to (1) maturational features which correlate with the infant's conceptional age, (2) abnormal findings indicative of encephalopathies of various causes, and (3) the value of the EEG in determining the prognosis for normal and abnormal neurological outcome. The role of EEG in neonatal seizures is covered more thoroughly in Chapter 43.
Value of the EEG
The EEG is a valuable tool for assessing neonatal brain function. It has unique properties compared to many other diagnostic tests of brain function. It can resolve temporal aspects of brain function more effectively than computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or even the bedside neurological examination. There is no other test that can so precisely discriminate between epileptic seizures and non-epileptic events in the neonate. It provides information about the severity of brain dysfunction (encephalopathy). Serial EEGs provide information about the course and effectiveness of treatment. Sometimes the EEG helps distinguish between various etiologies of encephalopathy.
Indication for EEG
An EEG in the neonate should be considered when questions arise regarding the cause of a child's abnormal neurological responses.
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