Emergency EEG in perinatal pain

EEG is a basic tool in neurological evaluation of fullterm or premature new born. An emergency recording (in hours following birth) is required in two circumstances: a suspicion of seizure (especially before starting specific therapy), and a major behavioral disorder. The main cause is, in fullterm n ewborn, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. More precise informations are prov ided by recording between 10 and 48 hours after birth. In premature, emerge ncy EEG may be recorded between 24 and 48 hours after birth. Some particula r EEG features suggest specific causes such as metabolic or infectious dise ases and focal lesions. In some cases, especially during seizures, conventi onal EEG can be completed by continous monitoring. (C) 1998 Elsevier, Paris .