Usefulness of two-channel amplitude-integrated EEG recording in a neonatal setting

Abstract

Introduction

The development of two-channel aEEG monitors in recent years has allowed for the detection of unilateral brain lesions, and for guided decision-making in real time for infants admitted to the neonatal unit.

Objective and methods

To highlight some of the main clinical situations in NICU where two-channel amplitude-integrated electroencephalography may provide important additional information to one-channel monitoring. aEEG recordings were obtained from Olympic Brainz^® Monitor, which records a two-channel aEEG as well as a raw EEG from two electrodes over each hemisphere.

Results

This article describes the advantages of the use of the two-channel aEEG in different clinical scenarios of the newborn infant: infarct, brain malformation, subdural hygroma, subgaleal bleeding, and preterm brain damage.

Conclusions

Two-channel monitoring allows the detection of asymmetries in aEEG trends and/or epileptic activity that may reflect unilateral brain pathology, and it conditions diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in clinical practice.

Keywords:

• Amplitude-integrated electroencephalography
• brain
• infant
• intensive care
• seizures

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.