Positive Sharp Waves in Neonatal EEG

ABSTRACT.

The clinical correlates and EEG characteristics of rolandic positive sharp waves in neonatal EEG have been studied systematically. Morphologically similar positive sharp waves have been reported to occur in the temporal areas (PTS). Their significance is, however, unclear. We reviewed 52 EEGs on patients from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Twenty-one of the EEGs which were reviewed had PTS. We correlated the PTS with the results of ultrasound of the head and with clinical evaluations. PTS are more strongly correlated with the occurrence of nonhemorrhagic than of hemorrhagic intracranial pathology.

KEY WORDS.:

• Electroencephalography
• hemorrhage
• neonate
• positive
• rolandic
• sharp waves
• temporal