Wireless multichannel electroencephalography in the newborn

First, to determine the feasibility of an ultra-compact wireless device (microEEG) to obtain multichannel electroencephalographic (EEG) recording in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Second, to identify problem areas in order to improve wireless EEG performance.

28 subjects (gestational age 24-30 weeks, postnatal age <30 days) were recruited at 2 sites as part of an ongoing study of neonatal apnea and wireless EEG. Infants underwent 8-9 hour EEG recordings every 2-4 weeks using an electrode cap (ANT-Neuro) connected to the wireless EEG device (Bio-Signal Group). A 23 electrode configuration was used incorporating the International 10-20 System. The device transmitted recordings wirelessly to a laptop computer for bedside assessment. The recordings were assessed by a pediatric neurophysiologist for interpretability.

A total of 84 EEGs were recorded from 28 neonates. 61 EEG studies were obtained in infants prior to 35 weeks corrected gestational age (CGA). NICU staff placed all electrode caps and initiated all recordings. Of these recordings 6 (10%) were uninterpretable due to artifacts and one study could not be accessed. The remaining 54 (89%) EEG recordings were acceptable for clinical review and interpretation by a pediatric neurophysiologist. Of the recordings obtained at 35 weeks corrected gestational age or later only 11 out of 23 (48%) were interpretable.

Wireless EEG devices can provide practical, continuous, multichannel EEG monitoring in preterm neonates. Their small size and ease of use could overcome obstacles associated with EEG recording and interpretation in the NICU.