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Updated: Apr 22, 2026
Application of an Amplitude-integrated EEG Monitor Cerebral Function Monitor to Neonates
Published on: September 6, 2017
Amplitude-integrated electroencephalographic activity and middle cerebral artery Doppler flow measurements in preterm
Leyla Daban Kolsuz1, Sevilay Topcuoglu2, Tugba Gursoy2
1Zeynep Kamil Maternity and Children's Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey dr._leyla@hotmail.com.
Insights
Small for gestational age infants show immature brain function patterns on amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (EEG). These findings correlate with increased cerebral blood flow, suggesting effects of chronic intrauterine hypoxia.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Neurology
- Neurophysiology
- Perinatal Medicine
Background:
- Small for gestational age (SGA) infants face risks to brain development from chronic intrauterine hypoxia.
- Amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (EEG) is a valuable bedside tool for monitoring neonatal brain function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess cerebral functions in preterm SGA infants using amplitude-integrated EEG.
- To investigate the relationship between cerebral blood flow and brain activity patterns in SGA infants.
Main Methods:
- Compared 22 preterm SGA infants with 27 appropriate for gestational age (AGA) preterm infants (30-34 weeks gestation).
- Measured middle cerebral artery mean velocity via cranial Doppler at 24 hours post-birth.
- Performed amplitude-integrated EEG recordings for 4-24 hours on all infants.
Main Results:
- SGA infants exhibited significantly higher middle cerebral artery mean velocity compared to AGA infants (P = .029).
- Amplitude-integrated EEG revealed lower "lower border of quiet sleep" and reduced total Burdjalov score in SGA infants (P = .04).
- SGA infants demonstrated a more immature amplitude-integrated EEG pattern.
Conclusions:
- Elevated middle cerebral artery blood flow in SGA infants may indicate chronic intrauterine hypoxia.
- Amplitude-integrated EEG findings suggest impaired cerebral function and delayed brain maturation in SGA infants.
Abstract:
Amplitude-integrated encephalography (EEG) is frequently used in neonatal intensive care units to monitor brain functions. Its bedside application and easy interpretation are the most important features. Brain development of small for gestational age infants can be affected by intrauterine chronic hypoxia. The current study aimed to evaluate cerebral functions of small for gestational age infants by means of amplitude-integrated EEG. Thirty- to 34-week-old 22 small for gestational age and 27 appropriate for gestational age preterm infants were included in the study. The mode of delivery, gender, birth weight, and Apgar scores of the patients were recorded. Following middle cerebral artery mean velocity measurement with cranial Doppler at the 24th hour of birth, an amplitude-integrated EEG recording was performed on all infants, for a period of 4 to 24 hours. Small for gestational age infants had significantly higher middle cerebral artery mean velocity than appropriate for gestational age infants (21.09 ± 4.25 vs 17.8 ± 4.07; P = .029). The amplitude-integrated EEG recordings showed lower "lower border of quiet sleep" and total Burdjalov score in small for gestational age infants when compared with appropriate for gestational age infants (2.5 [1-3.25] µV vs 3 [2.75-4] µV; P = .04, 8 [6-10], 9 [9-11]; P = .04, respectively). Increased middle cerebral artery blood flow observed in small for gestational age infants might be a marker of chronic intrauterine hypoxia to which these infants were exposed. These infants demonstrated a more immature pattern of amplitude-integrated EEG.
