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Updated: Sep 20, 2025
Application of an Amplitude-integrated EEG Monitor Cerebral Function Monitor to Neonates
Published on: September 6, 2017
Electroencephalogram in low-risk term newborns predicts neurodevelopmental metrics at age two years
Venkata C Chirumamilla1, Laura Hitchings1, Sarah B Mulkey2
1Prenatal Pediatrics Institute, Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, United States.
Objective:
To determine whether neurodevelopmental biomarkers at 2 years of age are already present in the newborns' EEG at birth.
Methods:
Low-risk term newborns were enrolled and studied utilizing EEG prior to discharge from the birth hospital. A 14-channel EEG montage (scalp-level) and source signals were calculated using the EEG. Their spectral power was calculated for each of the five frequency bands. Cognitive, language and motor skills were assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-III at age 2 years. The relationship between the spectral power in each frequency band and neurodevelopmental scores were quantified using the Spearman's r. The role of gender, gestational age (GA) and delivery mode, if found significant (P < 0.05), were controlled by analyzing partial correlation.
Results:
We studied 47 newborns and found a significant association between gender, and delivery mode with EEG power. Scalp- and source-level spectral powers were positively associated with cognitive and language scores. At the source level, significant associations were identified in the parietal and occipital regions.
Conclusions:
Electrophysiological biomarkers of neurodevelopment at age 2 years are already present at birth in low-risk term infants.
Significance:
Low-risk newborns' EEG utility as a screening tool to optimize neurodevelopmental outcome warrants further evaluation.
