Search

Background. In clinical practice, it is crucial to identify diagnostic methods that can forecast the neurodevelopmental outcomes of very preterm neonates. Our study aimed to assess the predictive significance of amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) for the neurodevelopmental outcomes of preterm infants at 12 months corrected age and to establish the cut-off score that could indicate potential neurodevelopmental impairments. Methods. Preterm neonates born before 32 weeks of gestational age between June 2020 and July 2022 were included in a prospective manner. Amplitude-integrated electroencephalography recordings were conducted at five age intervals (days 1–3; first, second, third and fourth weeks). Recordings were analyzed using the Burdjalov scoring system. The neurodevelopment assessment with Bayley Scales of Infant Development—Second Edition was carried out at 12 months corrected age. Results. A total of 140 newborns were included in the study. Neurodevelopment was assessed in 108 infants at 12 months corrected age. Higher total aEEG Burdjalov scores were observed in groups with normal cognitive and motor development. The most sensitive and specific score for prediction of cognitive impairment in 12 months corrected age was an aEEG evaluation of 5.5 according to Burdjalov score within the first three days. The most sensitive and specific score for prediction of motor impairment was 8.5 within the first week. Conclusions. According to our research there is currently not enough data to accurately foresee the development of newborns at 12 months corrected age according to early aEEG test results. However, conducting a research with bigger sample size and repeated evaluations at a later age might increase the prognostic value of aEEG. In this study cut-off scores of aEEG performed early in life to predict later neurodevelopment outcomes were determined.

Background. Amplitude-integrated electroencephalography is increasingly used for the neuromonitoring of premature infants. However, it is still not clear how bioelectrical activity changes in the smallest gestational age newborns. The aim of our study was to evaluate the bioelectrical activity of amplitude-integrated electroencephalograms in premature newborns of different gestational age to assess how gestational age and postnatal age influence patterns of amplitude-integrated electroencephalograms and to test the hypothesis of whether the bioelectrical activity of the brain matures faster after the birth of premature newborns than in utero. Methods. We prospectively included infants born before 32 weeks of gestational age between June 2020 and July 2022. Serial recordings of amplitude-integrated electroencephalograms were performed at three time points of age (days 1–3, 13–15, and 27–29). Recordings were analyzed for background patterns, the onset and appearance of cyclicity, and lower amplitude border and bandwidth, which were used to derive a composite Burdjalov score. Results. In total, 140 premature neonates were included in the study, and 112 of them completed the study. The median gestational age of the newborns enrolled in the study was 29 (27–30) weeks, and the mean weight was 1206 (350) g. Burdjalov scores increased with increasing gestational age. Higher scores were observed in every dimension of the amplitude-integrated electroencephalograms for newborns of lower gestational age when compared to newborns of higher gestational age of the same postmenstrual age. There was a significant correlation between gestational age and parameters of amplitude-integrated electroencephalograms at all time points. Conclusions. A higher gestational age has a positive effect on the bioelectrical activity of amplitude-integrated electroencephalograms. Increasing postnatal age affected amplitude-integrated electroencephalograms more than gestational age. Our hypothesis that the bioelectrical activity of the brain matures faster for premature newborns after birth than in the womb was confirmed.

Background and Objectives: In very low birth weight (VLBW) newborns, parenteral nutrition (PN) is delivered via a peripheral venous catheter (PVC), a central venous catheter (CVC), or a peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC). Up to 45% of PICCs are accompanied by complications, the most common being sepsis. A PVC is an unstable PN delivery technique requiring frequent change. The growth and neurodevelopment of VLBW newborns may be disturbed because of catheters used for early PN delivery and complications thereof. The aim of the conducted study was to evaluate the effect of two PN delivery techniques (PICC and PVC) on anthropometric parameters and neurodevelopment of VLBW newborns. Materials and Methods: A prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted in VLBW (≥750–Results: In total, 108 newborns (57 in the PICC group and 51 in the PVC group) were randomized. Short-term outcomes were assessed in 47 and 38 subjects, and long-term outcomes and neurodevelopment were assessed in 38 and 33 subjects of PICC and PVC groups, respectively. There were no differences observed in anthropometric parameters between the subjects of the two groups in the short- and long-term. Mental development index (MDI) < 85 was observed in 26.3% and 21.2% (p = 0.781), and psychomotor development index (PDI) < 85 was observed in 39.5% and 54.5% (p = 0.239) of PICC and PVC subjects, respectively. Conclusions: In the short- and long-term, no differences were observed in the anthropometric parameters of newborns in both groups. At CA 12 months, there was no difference in neurodevelopment in both groups.