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Updated: Oct 14, 2025
Preterm EEG: A Multimodal Neurophysiological Protocol
Published on: February 18, 2012
An Introduction to Neonatal EEG
Mary Anne Ryan1, Sean Mathieson, Eugene Dempsey
1INFANT Research Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University College Cork, Ireland (Ms Ryan and Drs Mathieson, Dempsey, and Boylan); and Department of Neonatology, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Ireland (Dr Dempsey).
Insights
Protecting the newborn brain is crucial for neurodevelopmental outcomes. Continuous neuromonitoring, including electroencephalography (EEG), aids in early detection and treatment of brain injury in neonatal intensive care units.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Neuroscience
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Neonatal survival rates have improved, yet neurodevelopmental outcomes remain a concern.
- Neurocritical care focuses on protecting the developing brain in newborns.
- Brain-focused care integrates clinical practices with early detection and management of brain injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce electroencephalography (EEG) as a key neuromonitoring tool for neonatal healthcare professionals.
- To highlight the role of continuous brain function monitoring in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
Main Methods:
- Utilizing electroencephalography (EEG) and amplitude-integrated EEG (aEEG) for continuous neuromonitoring.
- Employing near-infrared spectroscopy as an additional neuromonitoring technique.
- Focusing on clinical practices that support neurodevelopment and brain injury management.
Main Results:
- Technology enables continuous bedside monitoring of brain function in neonates.
- EEG and aEEG provide valuable insights into neonatal brain activity.
- Neuromonitoring facilitates early diagnosis and treatment of brain injury.
Conclusions:
- Continuous neuromonitoring, particularly EEG, is essential for optimizing neurodevelopmental outcomes in newborns.
- Brain-focused care strategies are vital in neonatal intensive care.
- Further understanding and application of EEG can enhance neonatal brain protection.
Abstract:
Newborn care has witnessed significant improvements in survival, but ongoing concerns persist about neurodevelopmental outcome. Protecting the newborn brain is the focus of neurocritical care in the intensive care unit. Brain-focused care places emphasis on clinical practices supporting neurodevelopment in conjunction with early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of brain injury. Technology now facilitates continuous cot-side monitoring of brain function. Neuromonitoring techniques in neonatal intensive care units include the use of electroencephalography (EEG) or amplitude-integrated EEG (aEEG) and near-infrared spectroscopy. This article aims to provide an introduction to EEG, which is appropriate for neonatal healthcare professionals.
