[Indications for emergency EEG in perinatal pain].

EEG is a basic tool in neurological evaluation of fullterm or premature newborn. An emergency recording (in hours following birth) is required in two circumstances: a suspicion of seizure (especially before starting specific therapy), and a major behavioral disorder. The main cause is, in fullterm newborn, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. More precise informations are provided by recording between 10 and 48 hours after birth. In premature, emergency EEG may be recorded between 24 and 48 hours after birth. Some particular EEG features suggest specific causes such as metabolic or infectious diseases and focal lesions. In some cases, especially during seizures, conventional EEG can be completed by continuous monitoring.