Long-term EEG monitoring in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Access, in neonatal intensive care units, to neurological monitoring facilities is often limited by the availability of expensive equipment, expert technicians to provide the biomedical support and neurologists, with neonatal experience, to interpret the data. EEG bedside monitoring is now available through the development of low cost portable bedside monitors. This paper discusses the clinical use of one of those monitors: the BRM2, manufactured by Brainz Instruments. A neonatal nurse can apply the electrodes and bedside interpretation is facilitated through an easily operated touch screen. Digital records can also be transferred to a remote expert for further reviewing. The availability of these devices should complement existing monitoring methods and lead to more efficient diagnosis and prognosis of neurological conditions in the neonatal intensive care unit.