Prognostic value of the electroencephalogram in neonatal asphyxia

In order to determine whether an EEG early in the course of asphyxia neonatorum is of any more value than the neurological examination in predicting outcome we reviewed case histories of 38 infants with asphyxia neonatorum. The EEG background activity was valuable in predicting outcome. Normal and maturationally delayed EEGs were associated with normal outcomes while low voltage, electrocerebral inactivity and burst suppression EEGs were highly correlated with severe neurological sequelae. Epileptiform activity was not as predictive of outcome as background activity. Although initial normal neurological examinations were associated with normal developmental and neurological outcomes, moderately and severely abnormal infants had more variable courses. A single EEG done early in the course of asphyxia neonatorum is a more sensitive predictor of outcome than the neurological examination.