Combined use of electroencephalogram and magnetic resonance imaging in full-term neonates with acute encephalopathy

Objective. The electroencephalogram (EEG) is widely used in full-term infan ts with acute neonatal encephalopathy, and its prognostic value has been co nfirmed by several studies. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain h as also been applied in these patients, and increasing numbers of reports a ffirm its prognostic reliability. The aim of this study has been to investi gate the correlation between an early EEG and MRI findings in infants with acute neonatal encephalopathy and to assess the prognostic value of a combi nation of EEG and MRI findings. Participants and Methods. Twenty-five full-term infants had an EEG recorded within the first 72 hours after birth and a neonatal brain MRI scan after the end of the first week. Results. Both EEG and MRI were predictive of outcome. A normal MRI was alwa ys associated with normal EEG background activity and normal outcome and se vere abnormalities on MRI with marked EEG abnormalities and an abnormal out come. When the MRI showed moderate abnormalities, the EEG in all cases but one identified patients with normal and abnormal outcome.