Preterm very-low-birth-weight neonates: relationship of EEG to intracranial hemorrhage, perinatal complications, and developmental outcome.

EEGs were performed on 102 preterm low-birth-weight neonates within the first 7 days of life. Babies were later separated into those without intracranial hemorrhage, those who had only subependymal hemorrhage (SEH), and those with intraventricular/intracerebral hemorrhage. The incidence and types of EEG abnormalities, 42% overall and including positive rolandic sharp waves, did not differ in the three groups. The incidence and distribution of EEG abnormalities between groups were not influenced by perinatal events. Developmental follow-up of 73 patients was similarly not correlated with neonatal EEG results, although the most severe EEG abnormalities were associated with subsequent mortality or morbidity.