Abstracts

The significance of positive temporal (PTS) and central sharp waves (PCS) in neonatal EEG has remained unclear. PTS and PCS have been associated with a non-specific injury to deep white matter. PTS has been associated with intracerebral hemorrhage in one study but not in another study. We aim to identify the significance of PTS and PCS. Retrospective review of the 228 EEGs from 164 neonates, done between Junel 2002 to September 2003. We correlated the presence of PCS and PTS with neuroimaging (US, CT or/and MRI). PCS and PTS were reported in 184 EEGs of 144 neonates. Seven neonates were excluded, as they did not have neuroimaging done. We correlated the presence of PCS and PTS in 175 EEGs of 137 neonates with neuroimaging pathology.
The number of sharp waves varied from many i.e. [gt] 2.5/min (30%), some (40%) to few i.e. [lt]10 (30%). Normal imaging was found in 26% of neonates; Ischaemic pathology was found in 46% of neonates and hemorrhaghic pathology was found in 13% of neonates. The location of sharp waves did not lateralize the pathology. The number and localization of sharp waves did not correlate to a specific pathology. There was some correlation between the number of sharp waves and abnormal imaging. If an EEG had many ([gt]2.5/min) positive sharp waves, the imaging was abnormal in all neonates. However only 30% of EEGs with few ([lt]1/min) positive sharp waves had normal imaging. Positive central and temporal sharp waves are reported frequently in neonatal EEGs and they may be consistent with a non-specific brain abnormality especially when frequent ([gt]2.5/min).