Effects of preeclampsia on the amplitude integrated electroencephalography activity in preterm infants.

OBJECTIVE: Preeclampsia leads to chronic intrauterine hypoxia by interfering with placental blood supply. The aim of this study was to investigate whether preeclampsia exposure has an influence on the central nervous system of infants, as monitored by amplitude integrated electroencephalography (aEEG). METHODS: We recruited 52 infants with gestational age between 30 and 34 weeks. Twenty-seven infants were born to preeclamptic mothers, and 25 gestational age-matched infants whose mothers were healthy were enrolled as a control group. aEEG recordings were performed between 24 and 48 h of life using a cerebral function monitor (CFM) (Olympic Brainz monitor). Along with aEEG, middle cerebral artery (MCA) blood flow velocities (BFV) were measured using Doppler ultrasound. RESULTS: The duration of quiet sleep was significantly shorter (P=0.001), and Burdjalov score was lower (P=0.04) in the preeclampsia group. However, there was no change in MCA BFV in this group. CONCLUSIONS: Preeclampsia altered cerebral electrical activity of premature infants born to preeclamptic mothers.

Amplitude-integrated electroencephalographic activity and middle cerebral artery Doppler flow measurements in preterm small for gestational age infants.

Amplitude-integrated encephalography (EEG) is frequently used in neonatal intensive care units to monitor brain functions. Its bedside application and easy interpretation are the most important features. Brain development of small for gestational age infants can be affected by intrauterine chronic hypoxia. The current study aimed to evaluate cerebral functions of small for gestational age infants by means of amplitude-integrated EEG. Thirty- to 34-week-old 22 small for gestational age and 27 appropriate for gestational age preterm infants were included in the study. The mode of delivery, gender, birth weight, and Apgar scores of the patients were recorded. Following middle cerebral artery mean velocity measurement with cranial Doppler at the 24th hour of birth, an amplitude-integrated EEG recording was performed on all infants, for a period of 4 to 24 hours. Small for gestational age infants had significantly higher middle cerebral artery mean velocity than appropriate for gestational age infants (21.09 ± 4.25 vs 17.8 ± 4.07; P = .029). The amplitude-integrated EEG recordings showed lower "lower border of quiet sleep" and total Burdjalov score in small for gestational age infants when compared with appropriate for gestational age infants (2.5 [1-3.25] µV vs 3 [2.75-4] µV; P = .04, 8 [6-10], 9 [9-11]; P = .04, respectively). Increased middle cerebral artery blood flow observed in small for gestational age infants might be a marker of chronic intrauterine hypoxia to which these infants were exposed. These infants demonstrated a more immature pattern of amplitude-integrated EEG.