The EEG evolution and neurological prognosis of neonates with perinatal hypoxia [corrected].

One hundred and seventy-three full-term newborns with hypoxic encephalopathy were subjected to polygraphic recordings (EEG, EOG, ECG and respiration) of 2.5-3.5 hr duration in the first 3 weeks in the period from 1970 to 1986. Their conceptional age ranged from 38 w to 42 w and birth weight from 1,750 g to 4,860 g. Their clinical outcome was evaluated in relation to the degree of depression of background EEG classified at each postnatal age. Cases with normal background before the 7th day, minimal or less depression before the 4th day and mild or less depression on the first day developed normally. Cases with marked or maximal depression at any day, moderate or more depression after the 7th day and mild or more depression after the 12th day developed neurological handicaps. The prognosis of others were not certain. Prognostic value of the neonatal EEG depended on the day of recording. Serial EEG recording was useful to prognosticate the clinical outcome.