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aEEG Evolution during Therapeutic Hypothermia and Prediction of NICU Outcome in Encephalopathic Neonates
Neonatology, 07/17/2012
Massaro AN et al. – Persisting aEEG background abnormality beyond 48 h of life and lack of sleep–wake cycling (SWC) over the course of hypothermia is predictive of adverse NICU outcome in encephalopathic newborns.
Methods- This is a retrospective review of continuous aEEG data from encephalopathic newborns treated with whole-body hypothermia.
- aEEG segments were scored for background and sleep-wake cycling (SWC).
- Sensitivity and specificity calculations and logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the ability of aEEG to predict death or severe MRI abnormality/significant neurological deficit at discharge.
- aEEG data from 75 encephalopathic newborns were reviewed.
- Abnormal aEEG background was predictive of adverse outcome with increasing positive predictive value over the course of hypothermia.
- Few patients (5%) had early SWC, but 58% developed SWC by rewarming and all had favorable outcome.