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Updated: May 3, 2026
Preterm EEG: A Multimodal Neurophysiological Protocol
Published on: February 18, 2012
Electroencephalographic characteristics in preterm infants born with intrauterine growth restriction
Anat Yerushalmy-Feler1, Ronella Marom2, Tali Peylan3
1Department of Neonatology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel; Child Neurology and Development Unit, Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
Insights
Preterm infants with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) show delayed brain activity maturation on electroencephalography (EEG) and poorer neuromotor development. These EEG changes may indicate future developmental deficits.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal neurology
- Developmental neuroscience
- Clinical electrophysiology
Background:
- Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) affects fetal development, potentially impacting brain maturation.
- Early neurophysiological assessment is crucial for identifying developmental risks in preterm infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of IUGR on brain activity patterns in preterm infants using amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) and power spectrum electroencephalography (EEG).
- To correlate electrophysiological findings with neuromotor development assessments.
Main Methods:
- Compared EEG and aEEG data in preterm infants with IUGR versus those appropriate for gestational age (GA).
- Analyzed aEEG trace width and calculated relative power in different EEG frequency bands.
- Assessed neuromotor development using the Lacey Assessment of the Preterm Infant before discharge.
Main Results:
- Infants with IUGR exhibited significantly wider aEEG trace width and increased delta frequency activity, with decreased theta, alpha, and beta activity.
- Delta activity correlated inversely with increasing gestational age in both groups.
- Lower scores on the Lacey Assessment in IUGR infants correlated with wider aEEG trace width and higher delta activity.
Conclusions:
- Preterm infants with IUGR demonstrate delayed brain maturation evidenced by altered EEG patterns.
- These neurophysiological alterations are associated with delayed neuromotor development.
- The long-term predictive value of these findings for developmental outcomes requires further investigation.
Objective:
To determine the impact of fetal growth on postnatal amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) and power spectrum electroencephalography (EEG) data in preterm infants born with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).
Study Design:
We defined IUGR as birth weight <10th percentile, and control as birth weight appropriate for gestational age (GA). We performed single-channel (C3-C4) EEG during the first 48 hours of life and measured the upper and lower margins of the aEEG trace width. EEG readings were analyzed by spectral analysis, and the relative power of the frequency bands was calculated. The Lacey Assessment of the Preterm Infant was administered before discharge.
Results:
We enrolled 14 infants with IUGR (mean GA, 34.3 ± 1.8 weeks; mean birth weight 1486 ± 304 g) and 16 appropriate for GA controls (mean GA, 33.7 ± 2 weeks; mean birth weight, 1978 ± 488 g). There were no significant between-group differences in perinatal complications. The mean aEEG trace width was 20.8 ± 1.4 μv in the infants with IUGR versus 17.3 ± 1.6 μv in controls (P < .001). The infants with IUGR also had significantly greater delta frequency activity and decreased theta, alpha, and beta frequency activities compared with controls. Delta frequency activity decreased with increasing GA (r = -0.8; P = .001 for infants with IUGR and r = -0.9; P < .001 for controls). The Lacey Assessment of the Preterm Infant developmental score was significantly lower in the infants with IUGR (P < .02) and was correlated with aEEG trace width (r = -0.6; P = .002) and with delta activity (r = -0.5; P = .02).
Conclusion:
Preterm infants with IUGR have delayed EEG maturation associated with delayed neuromotor development. The predictive value of these alterations regarding developmental deficits associated with IUGR remains undetermined, however.
