THE PROGNOSTIC VALUE OF THE EEG IN ASPHYXIATED NEWBORNS

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.