OP79 – 2987: Comparison of two different scoring systems for amplitude-integrated EEG in premature infants and correlation with the neurodevelopmental outcome.

Objective The amplitude-integrated EEG (aEEG) is becoming more important to monitor brain activity in premature infants. Studies have shown that early aEEGs correlate with later neurodevelopmental outcome. Various scoring systems for the assessment of aEEGs are being used, which complicates the comparison of published data. The aim of our study was to compare two scoring systems for aEEG and correlate with the neurodevelopmental outcome. Methods 114 preterm infants (gestational age (GA) <30 weeks of gestation) who had an aEEG within the first 14 days of life and a neurodevelopmental outcome at the age of 2 were retrospectively included into the study. The aEEGs had been analyzed with the aEEG sum score (background activity (BA) = percentage of different background patterns based on gestational age related standard values), the occurrence of sleep-wake cycles (SWC) and seizure activity) and the Burdjalov score (continuity (Co), cyclicity (Cy), amplitude of lower border (LB) and bandwidth span and amplitude of lower border (B) of the aEEGs – regardless of gestational age) and the results had been correlated with the outcome (Bayley Scales (MDI and PDI) at the age of 2). Results Both total scores (p<0.0001) and the different subscores correlated statistically significant (p <0.0001) with each other. Both total scores showed significant correlation (Burdjalov score p=0.003 and aEEG sum score p≤0.0001) with the outcome. The Burdjalov score showed increasing values with increasing GA, while the aEEG sum score showed no differences in the various GA. Conclusion Both scoring systems allow a simple classification of aEEGs. The Burdjalov score shows specific differences for the GA, while the aEEG sum score correlates better with the later outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]