Continuous Video Electroencephalographic (EEG) Monitoring for Electrographic Seizure Diagnosis in Neonates: A Single-Center Study

J Child Neurol. 2016 Mar;31(3):328-32. doi: 10.1177/0883073815592224. Epub 2015 Jun 30.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the diagnostic yield of continuous video electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring in critically ill neonates in the setting of a novel, university-based Neonatal Neurocritical Care Service. Patient demographic characteristics, indication for seizure monitoring, and presence of electrographic seizures were obtained by chart review. Among 595 patients cared for by the Neonatal Neurocritical Care Service, 400 (67%) received continuous video EEG. The median duration of continuous video EEG monitoring was 49 (interquartile range = 22-87) hours. Electrographic seizures were captured in 105 of 400 (26% of monitored patients) and of those, 25 of 105 (24%) had no clinical correlate. In addition, 52 of 400 subjects (13%) were monitored due to paroxysmal events concerning for seizures, but never had electrographic seizures. Continuous video EEG monitoring helped confirm or rule out ongoing seizures in more than one-third of the cases. This finding helps to support the use of continuous video EEG in critically ill neonates.

Keywords: EEG; critical care; electroencephalogram; epilepsy; hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy; infant; neonatal encephalopathy; neonatal seizures; neurocritical care.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Brain / physiopathology*
  • Electroencephalography / methods*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Intensive Care Units, Neonatal
  • Male
  • Neurophysiological Monitoring / methods*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Seizures / diagnosis*
  • Seizures / mortality
  • Seizures / physiopathology*
  • Video Recording / methods