Continuous electroencephalography monitoring in neonates

Abstract

As more critically ill term and premature neonates are surviving their acute illness, their long-term neurodevelopmental morbidity is being recognized. Continuous monitoring of cerebral function, with electroencephalography or derived digital trends, can provide key information regarding seizures and background patterns, with direct treatment and prognostic implications. Conventional video-electroencephalography remains the gold standard for neonatal seizure diagnosis and quantification, but can be supplemented by digital trending modalities. Both conventional and amplitude-integrated electroencephalography can provide valuable data regarding the background trends. This review describes indications and methods for continuous electroencephalography monitoring in high-risk neonates.