Background: To improve the objective assessment of continuous video-EEG (cEEG) monitoring of neonatal brain function, the aim was to relate automated derived amplitude and duration parameters of the suppressed periods in the EEG background (dynamic Interburst Interval= dIBIs) after neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) to favourable or adverse neurodevelopmental outcome. Methods: Nineteen neonates (gestational age 36-41 weeks) with HIE underwent therapeutic hypothermia and had cEEG-monitoring. EEGs were retrospectively analyzed with a previously developed algorithm to detect the dynamic Interburst Intervals. Median duration and amplitude of the dIBIs were calculated at 1h-intervals. Sensitivity and specificity of automated EEG background grading for favorable and adverse outcomes were assessed at 6h-intervals. Results: Dynamic IBI values reached the best prognostic value between 18 and 24h (AUC of 0.93). EEGs with dIBI amplitude ≥15 μV and duration <10s had a specificity of 100% at 6-12h for favorable outcome but decreased subsequently to 67% at 25-42h. Suppressed EEGs with dIBI amplitude <15μV and duration >10s were specific for adverse outcome (89-100%) at 18-24h (n = 10). Extremely low voltage and invariant EEG patterns were indicative of adverse outcome at all time points. Conclusions: Automated analysis of the suppressed periods in EEG of neonates with HIE undergoing TH provides objective and early prognostic information. This objective tool can be used in a multimodal strategy for outcome assessment. Implementation of this method can facilitate clinical practice, improve risk stratification and aid therapeutic decision-making. A multicenter trial with a quantifiable outcome measure is warranted to confirm the predictive value of this method in a more heterogeneous dataset.

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doi.org/10.1016/j.pedneo.2018.03.010, hdl.handle.net/1765/106186
Pediatrics and Neonatology
Department of Neurology

Dereymaeker, A. (Anneleen), Matić, V., Vervisch, J. (Jan), Cherian, J., Ansari, A., De Wel, O. (Ofelie), Govaert, P., De Vos, M. (Maarten), Van Huffel, S., Naulaers, G.& Jansen, K. (2018). Automated EEG background analysis to identify neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy treated with hypothermia at risk for adverse outcome: A pilot study. Pediatrics and Neonatology.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pedneo.2018.03.010