Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2026
Application of an Amplitude-integrated EEG Monitor (Cerebral Function Monitor) to Neonates
Published on: September 6, 2017
Amplitude-integrated EEG differences in premature infants with and without bronchopulmonary dysplasia: a
Ross Sommers1, Richard Tucker, Abbot Laptook
1Department of Pediatrics, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, USA.
Insights
Infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) show subtle but significant differences in amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram (aEEG) patterns at 36 weeks postmenstrual age. These findings suggest aEEG may help identify infants at risk for neurodevelopmental issues.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal neurology
- Neurophysiology
- Pediatric respiratory medicine
Background:
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease affecting preterm infants.
- Amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram (aEEG) is a tool used to monitor brain activity in neonates.
- Understanding brain activity patterns in infants with BPD is crucial for predicting neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in aEEG recordings between preterm infants with and without BPD.
- To identify potential biomarkers of BPD using aEEG.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study compared aEEG tracings of 17 infants with BPD and 17 without BPD.
- Infants were born at ≤27 weeks gestation and recordings were taken at 36-37 weeks postmenstrual age.
- aEEG data were analyzed using specialized software to assess voltage parameters and sleep patterns.
Main Results:
- Infants with BPD had lower gestational age and a higher proportion of males.
- During active sleep, infants with BPD exhibited wider voltage spans and higher lower border voltages.
- Infants with BPD also showed fewer periods of quiet sleep per hour compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Significant differences in aEEG tracings exist between infants with and without BPD at 36 weeks postmenstrual age.
- These aEEG variations, though subtle, warrant further investigation.
- Future research should explore the correlation between aEEG variables and neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants with BPD.
Aim:
To evaluate differences in amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram (aEEG) recordings of infants with and without bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).
Methods:
This is a cross-sectional study of infants ≤27 weeks at birth who did (n = 17) or did not develop BPD (n = 17). aEEG tracings were recorded at 36(0) -36(6) weeks post-menstrual age for 6 h using the BrainZ BRM3 monitor. A cross-cerebral channel was evaluated using offline software Analyze (BrainZ).
Results:
Infants with BPD had lower gestational age and higher male predominance (25 ± 1 weeks, 70%) compared with non-BPD infants (26 ± 1 weeks, 30%, all p ≤ 0.03), but similar birth weight (704 ± 195 vs. 796 ± 167 g, p = 0.1). During active sleep, infants with BPD had wider span voltage (p = 0.03), higher lower border voltage (p < 0.03), as well as less periods of quiet sleep per hour (p < 0.01) compared with non-BPD infants. These differences persisted after adjustment for covariates.
Conclusion:
Infants with BPD have small but significant differences in their aEEG tracings compared with infants without BPD at 36 weeks. Further study of infants with BPD using aEEG appears justified to determine whether aEEG variables correlate with neurodevelopmental outcome.
