The use of the EEG to predict outcome in premature infants with positive sharp waves.

The goal of this study was to investigate the factors that could predict prognosis in 51 premature infants with positive sharp waves on their EEGs (gestational age 23-36 wks) with 114 tracings. Follow-up clinical examinations were conducted, up to 10 yrs later. Death occurred in 18%, from a non-CNS cause, either sepsis or a congenital cardiac or pulmonary defect. A severe outcome was seen in 8% and was related to maternal i.v. drug abuse (IVDA) and the presence of many positive sharp waves. A moderate outcome, noted in 29%, was associated with a Grade III-IV intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) or periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) and maternal IVDA. A mild outcome seen in 20% was related to infrequent positive sharp waves, vaginal delivery and an improving EEG over time, while a normal outcome (26%) was also related to infrequent discharges, a normalized EEG over time, a normal sonogram and the absence of clinical seizures. The addition of negative sharp waves to the positive ones and the addition of central to temporal positive sharp waves were associated less often with a normal outcome. The general conclusion of this study was that various aspects of positive sharp waves in premature infants, in addition to other factors, can be used to predict outcome in these neonates.