Behavior and EEG concordance of active and quiet sleep in preterm very low birth weight and full-term neonates at matched conceptional age.

BACKGROUND: Sleep organization in neonates is an established predictor of neurological outcome and can be evaluated through the concordance between EEG and behavioral parameters. AIMS: To evaluate the correlation between sleep stages and behavioral states in neonates. STUDY DESIGN: Longitudinal study performed in a birth-cohort of preterm low birth weight neonates. SUBJECTS: Twenty five neonates, 15 preterm (gestational age between 27 and 33 weeks) and low birth weight (800-1500g) and 10 full-term neonates that served as controls. MEASURES: All neonates were submitted to video-electroencephalography of, at least, 60 minute duration. The preterm during the first 15 days of life and, subsequently, at 38-42 weeks of conceptional age. The full-term between the 1st and 2nd days of life. The characterization of sleep stages by EEG parameters and behavioral states (based on Prechtl scale) was performed independently by previously trained researchers. RESULTS: Active sleep (AS) was the predominant sleep stage in the three groups. Preterm neonates had an increase in concordance between state 1 and quiet sleep (QS) from the 1st to the 2nd EEG (p<0.001), however in both observations it remained inferior when compared to state 2 and AS (p<0.001). Concordance between AS and state 2 was similar (p=0.567). CONCLUSIONS: Concordance between EEG and behavior is lower in QS in preterm and full-term neonates when compared to AS. Extra-uterine development of preterm neonates seems to accelerate concordance in QS. Prechtl behavior scale proved to be useful in preterm as percentage of concordance was similar in AS in the groups studied.

Maturational changes of neonatal electroencephalogram: a comparison between intra uterine and extra uterine development.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate electroencephalogram (EEG) patterns in very low birth weight premature newborns when reaching term-to-term neonates, thereby comparing extra uterine to intra uterine development. METHODS: EEG recordings were obtained between 2 and 14 days of life in 47 preterm (<37 weeks) very low birth weight (⩽1500 g) newborns and repeated when reaching term age (38-42 weeks) in a subsample (n=22). EEG recordings were also obtained in term newborns. Clinical evaluation was performed at birth and at 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: Relative to the first EEG, preterm newborns showed a reduction in delta brushes and interburst intervals and increased interhemispheric synchrony, suggesting an improvement in EEG maturation. Further organization in sleep patterns, like a reduction in total sleep time and phase shifts, were also observed. However, when reaching term, preterm newborns still had less mature EEG patterns, phase shifts and transitional sleep than matched controls. Background abnormalities and dysmaturity in preterm newborns during the first EEG predicted adverse neurological outcome later on. CONCLUSIONS: EEG patterns in preterm very low birth weight newborns might be influenced by extra uterine development. Specific EEG abnormalities are related to increased risk of neurological disorders. SIGNIFICANCE: Extra uterine development of very low birth weight delays the acquisition of maturational EEG patterns.

Síndrome de Walker-Warburg / Walker-Warburg syndrome

A síndrome de Walker-Warburg (SWW) é uma doença autossômica recessiva rara, caracterizada por distrofia muscular congênita e associada a malformações cerebrais e oculares. Pode ser suspeitada ainda no pré-natal e o diagnóstico é firmado ao nascimento através de alterações clínicas e patológicas. O objetivo deste trabalho é relatar o caso de uma paciente com 3 meses de vida portadora de SWW. A SWW é uma síndrome severa e letal, diagnosticada através de quatro critérios: distrofia muscular congênita, anormalidades oculares, lissencefalia tipo II e malformação cerebelar. Seu tratamento visa apenas ao suporte e à prevenção de complicações. Pacientes com esta doença geralmente vão a óbito ainda no primeiro ano de vida

The Walker-Warburg syndrome (WWS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by congenital muscular dystrophy and associated with cerebral and ocular malformations. It may be suspected even in the prenatal period and the diagnosis is made at birth through clinical and pathological characteristics. The aim of this study is to report the case of a 3-month-old with WWS. The WWS is a severe and lethal syndrome that is diagnosed by four criteria: congenital muscular dystrophy, ocular abnormalities, type II lissencephaly, and cerebellar malformation. Its treatment is only supportive and intended to prevent complications. Patients with this disease usually will die within the first year of life

Avaliação do estado comportamental durante o sono em recém-nascidos / Behavioral assessment of sleep state in newborns

INTRODUÇÃO: A identificação dos estados comportamentais é um fator determinante na avaliação clínica e neurofisiológica de neonatos e apresenta-se como indicador importante do desenvolvimento normal e anormal do sistema nervoso central. As variáveis fisiológicas importantes na avaliação comportamental são: freqüência cardíaca, freqüência respiratória, presença de movimentos oculares rápidos, eletromiograma (EMG), eletroencefalograma (EEG). As variáveis comportamentais são abertura e fechamento dos olhos, movimentos corporais e choro. MÉTODOS: Neste artigo, foi feita uma revisão da literatura no período de 1970-2008 utilizando os unitermos: estado comportamental e recém-nascidos, sono e recém-nascidos e, EEG e comportamento. Utilizou-se os banco de dados Medline, Scielo e Web of Science. Esta revisão foi desenvolvida no período de agosto a novembro de 2008. CONCLUSÕES: A sistematização dos achados do comportamento em recém-nascidos associado à organização bioelétrica e grafoelementos permite identificar precocemente o comprometimento encefálico e prognóstico de recém-nascidos de risco e de muito baixo peso. Na literatura existem controvérsias em relação à padronização e sistematização dos estados comportamentais de crianças prematuras, diferente do que ocorre em neonatos a termo onde estes aspectos já estão definidos.

INTRODUCTION: The identification of behavioral states is a determining factor in the clinical and neurophysiological evaluation of neonates and presents itself as an important indicator of normal and abnormal development of the central nervous system. The physiological variables that are important in behavioral assessment are: heart rate, respiratory frequency, presence of rapid eye movements, electromyogram, electroencephalogram and behavioral variables (opening and closing of the eyes, body movements, crying). METHODS: In this article, we performed a comprehensive review of the literature in the period of 1970- 2008 where a search was conducted involving the terms, behavioral states and newborns/sleep and newborns/EEG and behavior. We used the database Medline, Scielo and Web of Science. This review was done in the period between August and November 2008. CONCLUSIONS: The systematization of the findings of behavior in newborns associated with the bioelectric and graphic element organization permit the early identification of brain impairment and prognosis of newborns at risk with low birth weight. In literature there are still controversies regarding standardization and systematization of behavioral states of premature children, in term children this has been already defined.

Valor prognóstico do EEG neonatal em recém-nascidos de alto risco: [revisão] / The predictive value of neonatal EEG in high-risk newborns: [review]

INTRODUÇÃO: A detecção precoce de disfunção ou insulto cerebral em recém-nascidos de risco internados dentro das unidades de terapia intensiva neonatal aumenta a possibilidade de melhor sobrevida e de menor risco de seqüela neurológica destas crianças. O EEG é uma ferramenta que possibilita ao neonatologista uma informação da repercussão da lesão neurológica no cérebro imaturo e, junto aos achados de neuroimagem, consegue identificar aqueles com prognóstico reservado. OBJETIVO: analisar estudos envolvendo a relação entre o EEG neonatal e prognóstico neurológico, identificando características preditivas clínicas e eletroencefalográficas. MÉTODOS: Neste artigo, foi feita uma ampla revisão da literatura envolvendo estudos a partir da década de 70 onde foi realizado EEG, no período neonatal, em neonatos de risco e/ou com crises convulsivas. Utilizou-se os bancos de dados medline, scielo e web of science. Esta revisão foi produzida no período compreendido entre janeiro e abril do ano de 2007. RESULTADOS: O EEG pode contribuir fortemente para o estabelecimento do prognóstico e risco de óbito, principalmente quando apresenta alterações do tipo surto-supressão, isoeletricidade, baixa voltagem e dismaturidade. Em contrapartida, o exame neurológico normal e o EEG normal correlacionam-se a prognóstico mais favorável. EEGs seqüenciais fortalecem a relação com a predição do prognóstico. CONCLUSÕES: O EEG é um método que possibilita a avaliação de neonatos com patologias graves podendo ser correlacionado com desfecho neurológico durante os primeiros anos de vida principalmente quando apresenta alterações do ritmo de base.

INTRODUCTION: The precocious detection of cerebral dysfunction or insult in newborns of risk in the Neonatal Intensive Therapy Units increases the possibility of survival and less risk of neurological sequela in these children. The EEG is an instrument that allows to the neonatologist information about the repercussion of the neurological injury on the immature brain and, with the neuroimage findings, to identify those with reserved prognosis. OBJECTIVES: To analyse studies involving the relation between the neonatal EEG and the neurological prognosis identifying clinical and electroencephalographics predictable characteristics. METHODS: we have performed a wide bibliographic revision including studies published since 1970 till now the EEG was accomplished, on the neonatal period, in neonates of risk and/or seizures. RESULTS: EEG may help to establish outcome and mortality mainly when it presents burst suppression, inactivity and or low voltage the patterns. On the other side a normal neurological exam together with normal EEG related to a favorable outcome. Sequential EEGs also improves the sensibility to predict outcome. CONCLUSION: The EEG is a non-invasive low cost method that enables the evaluation of neonates with serious illness. The changes observed in the background activity, the presence of determined graph elements and the organization level of the sleeping stages can be correlated with the neurological outcome during the first years of life.

Predictive value of sequential electroencephalogram (EEG) in neonates with seizures and its relation to neurological outcome.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of sequential neonatal electroencephalography (EEG) and neurological outcome in neonates with seizures to identify polysomnographic features predictive of outcome. Sequential EEGs recordings of 58 neonates that belonged to 2 historical cohorts of newborns with seizures from the same neonatal intensive care unit and who had follow-up at the Neurodevelopment Clinic of the Hospital São Lucas, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS) in Porto Alegre, Brazil, were analyzed and classified into 4 groups: normal-normal, abnormal-normal, abnormal-abnormal, normal-abnormal. In patients with more than 2 recordings, during the neonatal period, the first EEG was compared with the following more abnormal. A total of 58 pairs of 2 sequential EEGs were analyzed. Considering the first EEG, a statistically significant difference was observed between the relationship of the result of this exam, if it was abnormal, with developmental delay (P = .030) and postnatal death (P = .030). Abnormal background activity was also related to neurodevelopment delay (P = .041). EEG sequences abnormal-abnormal and normal-abnormal significantly correlated to the outcome epilepsy ( P = .015). Abnormal sequential background activity was associated with neurodevelopment delay (P = .006) and epilepsy (P = .041). The burst suppression pattern when present in any EEG correlated with epilepsy (P = .013) and postnatal death (P = .034). Sequential abnormal background patterns in the first and second EEG increased the risk for epilepsy (relative risk [RR] = 1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03-3.0) and neurodevelopment delay (RR = 2.20; 95% CI = 1.3-3.0). Abnormal background activity only in the second electroencephalogram increased the risk for neurodevelopment delay (RR = 2.20; 95% CI = 1.3-3.0). All the neonates (n = 33) with seizures related to probable hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy had abnormalities in the first EEG (P = .030). Postnatal epilepsy was diagnosed in 24 infants (41.4%). Five (20.8%) presented West syndrome, 7 (29.2%) focal symptomatic epilepsy, 6 (25%) generalized symptomatic epilepsy, 2 (8.3%) early myoclonic encephalopathy, 1 (4.2%) early infantile epileptic encephalopathy, and in 3, the epileptic syndrome was undefined (12.5%). All infants (n = 5) with West syndrome had some degree of neurodevelopment delay. In conclusion, our findings suggest that sequential EEG in neonates with seizures has more predictive value to estimate the outcomes of neurodevelopment delay, epilepsy, and postnatal death than a single EEG recording. The abnormal background activity in even 1 EEG of the sequential recordings was more significant to determine neurological outcome than abnormal ictal activity or abnormalities in the organization of sleep state.

Mergulho em águas rasas e lesão medular: uma abordagem educativa e preventiva / Diving in shallow waters and spinal cord injury: a preventive and educational approach

Este artigo tem como objetivo revisar estudos envolvendo acidentes por mergulho e lesão medular. A existência de poucos dados na literatura brasileira sobre este assunto motivaram a pesquisa. O método utilizado foi à revisão bibliográfica (MEDLINE, LILACS), selecionando aspectos sobre prevenção de lesão medular e mergulho, educação, e medidas preventivas. Concluiu-se que a lesão medular causada por mergulho em águas rasas tem uma incidência elevada no mundo principalmente no período do verão. Ocorre em indivíduos jovens, sadios, geralmente sexo masculino apresentando uma forte associação com uso de álcool. Medidas preventivas, educativas são primordiais para a diminuição de novos casos.

Epilepsia e arte: relação, interação ou conseqüência / Epilepsia e arte: relação, interação ou conseqüência

Este artigo tem como objetivo revisar estudos envolvendo epilepsia e arte, mostrando o sofrimento, alegria, criações e adversidades destes com a epilepsia. O método utilizado foi à revisão bibliográfica (Medline, Lilacs), selecionando aspectos sobre epilepsia e arte. O texto discorre sobre a vida e obras de grandes nomes da arte que tiveram vidas marcadas e influenciadas pela epilepsia; e suas manifestações sociais, psíquicas e físicas.