Peripartal asphyxia is still one of the most important factors of neon
atal morbidity and mortality and accounts for the majority of non-prog
ressive neurological deficits seen in children. A set of evaluations t
hat may consistently predict outcome in this patient population would
be valuable. The purpose of the present retrospective study was to inv
estigate the prognostic value of the early neonatal EEG and Sarnat sco
ring obtained in 23 asphyxiated term newborns. All infants met strict
entrance criteria, regarding asphyxia, and received standard treatment
. The relationship between the Sarnat scoring, the early EEG findings,
and the clinical follow up examination (at 1,5-7 years) were studied
using the Pearson Correlation test and multiple regression. Our study
clearly demonstrates a strong correlation between the early neonatal E
EG and outcome, even regarding the prediction of minor sequelae (r = 0
.79, p<0.0001). The early neonatal EEG is more accurate in predicting
the ultimate clinical outcome than the Sarnat scoring.