The routine care of any newborn infant admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) involves monitoring respiratory rate, heart rate, oxygen saturations and blood pressure. However, recently it has been considered important to use amplitude integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) to monitor brain function where encephalopathy or seizures are suspected.
Measurement of electrical brain activity is recognised to have prognostic significance in severely ill newborns with altered consciousness levels. Duration and severity of abnormalities of aEEG tracings are highly predictive of subsequent neurodevelopmental outcome.
This online course will teach you about the background of aEEG, the difference between electroencephalography (EEG) and aEEG, the clinical applications of aEEG, as well as the set up and interpretation of aEEG.
On completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Understand the background of aEEG
- Differentiate between EEG and aEEG
- Explain the rationale for the use of aEEG in neonatal care
- Understand the clinical indications for aEEG in term and preterm infants
- Apply practical steps in administering the aEEG electrodes and setting up a cerebral function monitor
- Interpret aEEG, including assessment of background pattern classification, upper and lower margins of amplitude, sleep-wake cycling, seizure activity and interference
All doctors in General Paediatrics or Neonatology.
