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Updated: Aug 23, 2026
Preterm EEG: A Multimodal Neurophysiological Protocol
Published on: February 18, 2012
EEG - A Valuable Biomarker of Brain Injury in Preterm Infants
Elena Pavlidis1, Rhodri O Lloyd, Geraldine B Boylan
1Neonatal Brain Research Group, Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research (INFANT), and Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
Insights
Electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring helps detect brain function abnormalities in preterm infants. This review details EEG patterns linked to common brain injuries, aiding in adverse outcome prediction.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neonatology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Increasing survival rates of very and extremely preterm infants necessitate better brain function monitoring.
- Developmental brain injuries are common in preterm infants, impacting long-term outcomes.
- Standardized characterization of EEG patterns in this population is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of electroencephalography (EEG) in monitoring preterm infant brain function abnormalities.
- To describe EEG features associated with common neonatal brain injuries.
- To identify key EEG biomarkers for predicting adverse outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on EEG findings in preterm infants.
- Analysis of EEG patterns related to intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, and perinatal asphyxia.
- Compilation of characteristic EEG biomarkers and waveform examples.
Main Results:
- Common EEG abnormalities in preterm infants include seizures, sharp waves, and suppression patterns.
- Specific EEG waveforms like delta brush and asymmetries indicate brain injury.
- Distinct EEG patterns are associated with intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, and perinatal asphyxia.
Conclusions:
- EEG is a vital tool for assessing brain function and detecting injuries in preterm infants.
- Recognizing specific EEG biomarkers aids in the early identification of adverse outcomes.
- This review provides a comprehensive resource on EEG patterns for developmental neuroscience professionals.
Abstract:
This review focuses on the role of electroencephalography (EEG) in monitoring abnormalities of preterm brain function. EEG features of the most common developmental brain injuries in preterm infants, including intraventricular haemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, and perinatal asphyxia, are described. We outline the most common EEG biomarkers associated with these injuries, namely seizures, positive rolandic sharp waves, EEG suppression/increased interburst intervals, mechanical delta brush activity, and other deformed EEG waveforms, asymmetries, and asynchronies. The increasing survival rate of preterm infants, in particular those that are very and extremely preterm, has led to a growing demand for a specific and shared characterization of the patterns related to adverse outcome in this unique population. This review includes abundant high-quality images of the EEG patterns seen in premature infants and will provide a valuable resource for everyone working in developmental neuroscience.
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