Normal Neonatal EEG

Normal Neonatal Electroencephalogram at a Glance

“…25 The developmental process includes gradual change of the background activity from a discontinuous pattern to a continuous one, loss of developmental markers of previous CA with emergence of graphic elements typical of later CA, and progressive differentiation of different awake and sleep states. 13,26 With maturation, longer periods of sustained activity occur with an increasing concordance to active sleep and wake states. 27 Neonatal EEG is unfamiliar to most neurologists but is facilitated by some guidelines, including the background appropriateness for CA and physiologic state of the newborn.…”

“…12 The acquisition of polygraphic parameters is necessary in neonates to document and characterize the different behavioral states, with the possible exception of neonates that must be handled with extreme caution, such as critically ill neonates and extreme preterm newborns. 13 Standard monitoring of physiologic parameters includes electrooculogram (EOG), electromyogram (EMG) of the chin muscle, respiratory activity, and electrocardiogram (ECG). 13 Active sleep (rapid-eye-movement [REM] sleep) is defined by the presence of rapid eye movements on EOG, decreased chin EMG activity, and irregular respirations and cardiac rate.…”

“…13 Standard monitoring of physiologic parameters includes electrooculogram (EOG), electromyogram (EMG) of the chin muscle, respiratory activity, and electrocardiogram (ECG). 13 Active sleep (rapid-eye-movement [REM] sleep) is defined by the presence of rapid eye movements on EOG, decreased chin EMG activity, and irregular respirations and cardiac rate. 14 Quiet sleep (non-REM sleep) is characterized by an absence of lateral eye movements, increased chin EMG activity, and regular respirations and ECG.…”