Neurodevelopmental outcome predictors of term newborns with neonatal seizures

The concrete burden of neonatal seizures in neurodevelopmental outcome of term newborns is still unknown in literature. The aim of this study was to describe prognostic predictors in neonatal seizures.

Observational prospective study of term neonates with clinical seizures from a tertiary center (2009-2018). Adverse outcome was determined as death, global developmental delay, cerebral palsy or epilepsy. Perinatal characteristics, etiology, electrographic features, neuroimaging and antiepileptic treatment were analyzed in a logistic regression model.

A total of 102 newborns were included (52 infants with normal outcome). Twelve fatalities were registered. In the survival group, 38 children had an adverse outcome (28 global developmental delay, 27 cerebral palsy, 21 epilepsy). From the prognostic variables identified in univariate analysis, perinatal complications, seizure onset in the first day of life, moderate to severe abnormal background activity, abnormal amplitude-integrated EEG pattern, and treatment response remained independently associated with adverse outcome after a logistic regression model.

There is conflicting data about surrogate markers in neonatal seizures. Aside from confirming the predictive value of previously described variables, we observed that amplitude-integrated EEG monitoring is a forthcoming prognostic tool. Future approaches may include a wider use of amplitude-integrated EEG monitoring, being crucial for timely seizure identification and prompt treatment.