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Published on: September 6, 2017
Neonatal quantitative electroencephalography and long-term outcomes: a systematic review
Charlotte van 't Westende1,2, Victor J Geraedts3, Tino van Ramesdonk1
1Department of Child Neurology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Insights
Quantitative electroencephalogram (EEG) measures in newborns can predict long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. These EEG markers may help identify infants needing early interventions for developmental challenges.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal neuroscience
- Developmental pediatrics
- Clinical neurophysiology
Background:
- Assessing long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants is crucial for early intervention.
- Quantitative electroencephalogram (EEG) offers a non-invasive method to evaluate brain activity in neonates.
- Predictive biomarkers are needed to identify infants at risk for developmental difficulties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate quantitative electroencephalogram (EEG) measures as predictors of neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants up to 46 weeks postconceptional age.
- To include typically developing, preterm, and infants with various pathologies.
- To synthesize evidence on the association between neonatal EEG and long-term outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science up to January 2021.
- Inclusion of studies correlating neonatal quantitative EEG (conventional and amplitude-integrated) with neurodevelopmental outcomes at ≥2 years.
- Categorization of outcomes into cognitive, motor, composite scores, and other assessments.
Main Results:
- Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria.
- Positive associations were found between conventional EEG power (delta, theta, alpha, beta bands) and EEG amplitudes with favorable cognitive and motor outcomes.
- Lower prevalence of discontinuous background patterns correlated with better long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal quantitative EEG measures show potential as prognostic biomarkers.
- These EEG markers can help identify infants at risk for long-term neurodevelopmental difficulties.
- Early identification facilitates timely intervention for improved infant outcomes.
Aim:
To evaluate quantitative electroencephalogram (EEG) measures as predictors of long-term neurodevelopmental outcome in infants with a postconceptional age below 46 weeks, including typically developing infants born at term, infants with heterogeneous underlying pathologies, and infants born preterm.
Method:
A comprehensive search was performed using PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science from study inception up to 8th January 2021. Studies that examined associations between neonatal quantitative EEG measures, based on conventional and amplitude-integrated EEG, and standardized neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years of age or older were reviewed. Significant associations between neonatal quantitative EEG and long-term outcome measures were grouped into one or more of the following categories: cognitive outcome; motor outcome; composite scores; and other standardized outcome assessments.
Results:
Twenty-four out of 1740 studies were included. Multiple studies showed that conventional EEG-based absolute power in the delta, theta, alpha, and beta frequency bands and conventional and amplitude-integrated EEG-related amplitudes were positively associated with favourable long-term outcome across several domains, including cognition and motor performance. Furthermore, a lower presence of discontinuous background pattern was also associated with favourable outcomes. However, interpretation of the results is limited by heterogeneity in study design and populations.
Interpretation:
Neonatal quantitative EEG measures may be used as prognostic biomarkers to identify those infants who will develop long-term difficulties and who might benefit from early interventions.
