Cerebral maturation on amplitude-integrated electroencephalography and perinatal exposures in preterm infants

Aim To determine the associations between perinatal exposures, cerebral maturation on amplitude-integrated encephalography (aEEG) and outcome. Methods During this prospective cohort study, 136 infants ≤30 weeks estimated gestational age received 4 h of aEEG at four time points (between the first 2 weeks of life and term-equivalent age) during hospitalisation. Perinatal factors were documented. Associations between perinatal exposures and Burdjalov-scores were investigated. Neurodevelopmental outcome was assessed at the age of two. Results Immature cyclicity on the initial aEEG recording was associated with higher CRIB score (p = 0.01), vaginal delivery (p = 0.02), male gender (p < 0.01) and death (p = 0.01). Perinatal factors associated with lower Burdjalov-scores included cerebral injury (p < 0.01), sepsis (p < 0.01), lower caffeine dose (p = 0.006), prolonged mechanical ventilation (p = 0.002) and death (p < 0.01). Burdjalov-scores at 30 (β = 2.62, p < 0.01) and 34 weeks postmenstrual age (β = 2.89, p = 0.05) predicted motor scores. Conclusion aEEG measures of cyclicity and Burdjalov-scores in the first 6 weeks of life, with an emphasis on 30 and 34 weeks postmenstrual age, demonstrated associations with perinatal factors known to predict adverse neurodevelopmental outcome.