Clinical relevance of age-dependent EEG signatures in the detection of neonates at high risk for apnea.

Age dependent EEG signatures were detected in the EEG of 71 neonates of 28-100 weeks of conceptional age (CA). Using the new method presented, neonates were automatically classified in three age groups (28-35 weeks CA), (36-40 weeks CA) and (41-100 weeks CA). Analysis was performed employing relative distance functions for the complete frequency spectra of the EEG registered by electrodes in C3 and C4 positions. The analysis was successful in automatic identification of individuals showing EEG anomalies. Polysomnographic analysis demonstrated these to be apnea risk patients. Accordingly, a purely EEG based detection of neonates that are medically at risk becomes feasible.