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Neonatal Electroencephalography

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Neonatology

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Abstract

The electroencephalogram (EEG) records electrocortical activity and is a sensitive method for assessing brain function. Neurological symptoms may be very vague or entirely absent in infants requiring neonatal intensive care. The EEG is an important tool for detecting abnormal brain activity in both term and preterm infants and can be used for diagnosing epileptic seizures and following effects of antiepileptic treatment; the EEG can also contribute with predictive information on later neurodevelopmental prognosis.

  • The EEG is sensitive for assessing brain function and for detecting brain dysfunction.

  • The amplitude-integrated EEG trend (aEEG) can be used for monitoring high risk infants.

  • The aEEG gives prolonged information on trends in brain activity, while the EEG gives detailed information and confirms findings in the aEEG.

  • The aEEG and EEG can be used for prediction of outcome, diagnosis of seizures, and evaluation of effects of antiepileptic treatment

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala University and University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden

    Lena K. Hellström-Westas

Authors
  1. Lena K. Hellström-Westas
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Correspondence to Lena K. Hellström-Westas .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy

    Giuseppe Buonocore

  2. Department of Pediatrics Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy

    Rodolfo Bracci

  3. Liverpool Women’s Hospital Neonatal Unit, Liverpool, UK

    Michael Weindling

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Hellström-Westas, L.K. (2018). Neonatal Electroencephalography. In: Buonocore, G., Bracci, R., Weindling, M. (eds) Neonatology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29489-6_268

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29489-6_268

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-29487-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-29489-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineReference Module Medicine

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