[Diagnoses to consider in newborn infants with inactive EEG tracings]

Thirty-one neonates without any electroencephalographic activity detectable on the first EEG before day 5 were studied. In the first group (20 neonates) the first EEG was performed on day 0. Signs of foetal and/or perinatal anoxia were observed. In the second group (11 neonates), the first EEG was performed between day 1 and day 4. In 7 cases, the neonate was considered normal during a period varying between a few hours and a few days. Various aetiologies other than foetal or perinatal anoxia were found: cardiac arrest, metabolic disease, polycystic encephalomalacia.