Brain maturation in the first 3 months of life, measured by electroencephalogram: A comparison between preterm and term-born infants

Abstract

Objective: Preterm infants are at risk for altered brain maturation resulting in neurodevelopmental impairments. Topographical analysis of high-density electroencephalogram during sleep matches underlying brain maturation. Using such an EEG mapping approach could identify preterm infants at risk early in life.

Methods: 20 preterm (gestational age < 32 weeks) and 20 term-born infants (gestational age > 37 weeks) were recorded by 18-channel daytime sleep-EEG at term age (GA 40 weeks for preterm and 2-3 days after birth for term infants) and 3 months (corrected age for preterm infants).

Results: Preterm infant's power spectrum at term age is immature, leveling off with term infants at 3 months of age. Topographical distribution of maximal power density however, reveals qualitative differences between the groups until 3 months of age. Preterm infants exhibit more temporal than central activation at term age and more occipital than central activation at 3 months of age. Moreover, being less mature at term age predicts being less mature at 3 months of age.

Conclusion: Topographical analysis of sleep EEG reveals changes in brain maturation between term and preterm infants early in life.

Significance: In future, automated analysis tools using topographical power distribution could help identify preterm infants at risk early in life.

Keywords: Development; EEG; Infant; Preterm; Term; Topography.