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Updated: Oct 2, 2025
Application of an Amplitude-integrated EEG Monitor Cerebral Function Monitor to Neonates
Published on: September 6, 2017
Electroencephalographic studies in growth-restricted and small-for-gestational-age neonates
Nathan J Stevenson1, Melissa M Lai2,3, Hava E Starkman2,4
1Brain Modelling Group, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
Insights
Electroencephalography (EEG) reveals brain development differences in neonates experiencing foetal growth restriction (FGR) or born small for gestational age (SGA). These EEG changes persist into childhood and correlate with neurodevelopmental delays.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal neurology
- Developmental neuroscience
- Clinical neurophysiology
Background:
- Foetal growth restriction (FGR) and small for gestational age (SGA) are linked to neurodevelopmental delays.
- Early detection of neurological damage in these neonates is challenging.
- Electroencephalography (EEG) shows promise for assessing brain development in FGR/SGA infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evidence on EEG's utility for assessing brain development in FGR/SGA neonates.
- To identify specific EEG markers associated with FGR/SGA.
- To correlate EEG findings with neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of existing literature on EEG in FGR/SGA neonates.
- Analysis of studies reporting EEG characteristics (spectral power, synchrony, sleep, amplitude).
- Comparison of EEG data between FGR/SGA infants and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) controls.
Main Results:
- Consistent EEG changes are observed in FGR/SGA neonates immediately after birth and into childhood.
- Early EEG alterations include changes in spectral power, synchrony, sleep-wake cycling, and amplitude continuity.
- Later EEG findings involve altered spectral power, sleep architecture, and amplitude.
Conclusions:
- FGR/SGA is associated with distinct and persistent EEG abnormalities.
- EEG changes correlate with poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes compared to AGA infants.
- EEG offers a potential tool for early identification and functional assessment of brain impairment in FGR/SGA neonates.
Abstract:
Foetal growth restriction (FGR) and being born small for gestational age (SGA) are associated with neurodevelopmental delay. Early diagnosis of neurological damage is difficult in FGR and SGA neonates. Electroencephalography (EEG) has the potential as a tool for the assessment of brain development in FGR/SGA neonates. In this review, we analyse the evidence base on the use of EEG for the assessment of neonates with FGR or SGA. We found consistent findings that FGR/SGA is associated with measurable changes in the EEG that present immediately after birth and persist into childhood. Early manifestations of FGR/SGA in the EEG include changes in spectral power, symmetry/synchrony, sleep-wake cycling, and the continuity of EEG amplitude. Later manifestations of FGR/SGA into infancy and early childhood include changes in spectral power, sleep architecture, and EEG amplitude. FGR/SGA infants had poorer neurodevelopmental outcomes than appropriate for gestational age controls. The EEG has the potential to identify FGR/SGA infants and assess the functional correlates of neurological damage. IMPACT: FGR/SGA neonates have significantly different EEG activity compared to AGA neonates. EEG differences persist into childhood and are associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. EEG has the potential for early identification of brain impairment in FGR/SGA neonates.
