A Comparison Of Conventional Electroencephalography With Amplitude-Integrated EEG In Detection Of Neonatal Seizures
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Updated: Jan 1, 2026
Application of an Amplitude-integrated EEG Monitor Cerebral Function Monitor to Neonates
Published on: September 6, 2017
Maliheh Kadivar1, Elahe Movahedi Moghadam1, Reza Shervin Badv1
1Department of Neonatology, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Introduction:
Amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram (aEEG) is widely used in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) to monitor neonatal seizures. This method is still not well established compared to conventional electroencephalogram (cEEG), the diagnostic gold standard. However, aEEG can be a good screening tool for the diagnosis of seizures in infants. Our aim in this review study is to evaluate aEEG diagnostic accuracy in comparison with cEEG, for detection of neonatal seizures.
Methods:
In this work, we studied the published articles which used EEG and aEEG in the evaluation process of seizures in neonates and compared these techniques to obtain an approach for the detection of neonatal seizures.
Results:
Seventeen articles were included. Using aEEG with raw trace to detect individual seizures showed median sensitivity of 78% (range: 68-85) and median specificity of 78% (range: 71-84). The median sensitivity and specificity were 54% (range: 25-95) and 81% (range: 50-100), respectively, in case of using aEEG without raw traces. Brief duration seizures and those occurring away from aEEG leads were less detected.
Conclusion:
Studies showed that aEEG has variable sensitivity and specificity. Based on the evidences, aEEG cannot be recommended as the only way for diagnosis and management of seizures in neonates; however, it could complete the diagnosis of seizures in the infant and could be a very good tool for screening seizures.
