Electroencephalography in premature and full-term infants. Developmental features and glossary.

Following the pioneering work of C. Dreyfus-Brisac and N. Monod, research into neonatal electroencephalography (EEG) has developed tremendously in France.

Pathological features of neonatal EEG in preterm babies born before 30 weeks of gestationnal age.

Pathological features on very premature EEG concern background abnormalities and abnormal ictal and nonictal patterns. Positive rolandic sharp waves keep an important place regarding diagnosis and prognosis of white-matter lesions. Background abnormalities, that may be classified as acute-stage or chronic-stage abnormalities, give essential complementary information.

Normal EEG of premature infants born between 24 and 30 weeks gestational age: terminology, definitions and maturation aspects.

This article presents normal EEG characteristics and their maturational pattern in premature infants of 24-30 weeks gestational age. Although the very premature infants with a normal outcome are not that numerous, their normal EEG pattern should be known, as EEG constitutes a basis for neurological prognosis. Background activity is first discontinuous but the discontinuity gradually decreases and the activity is completely continuous at 30 weeks of age, during active sleep.

[Pathological patterns in neonatal EEG before 30 weeks of gestational age].

Pathological features on very premature EEG concern background abnormalities and abnormal patterns. Positive rolandic sharp waves keep an important place regarding diagnosis and prognosis. Background abnormalities give essential complementary informations.