Prognostic value of the cerebral function monitor (CFM) and of the eeg in term newborns with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopaty

The prognostic value of the neonatal EEG has been well established, while the role of the neonatal CFM in predicting neurological outcome is more controversial. The aim of the study was to compare the prognostic value of the conventional EEG with CFM trace in 35 term newborns with HIE. The recordings were made with a CFM for a period of at least 48 hours during the first days of life; repeated EEG recordings were also performed during the first week and severity of EEG and CFM abnormalities was graded using a score. Survivors were followed until 1 year of age, by repeated standardized neurological examinations. There were no significant differences between early EEG and CFM in predicting neurological outcome, but the conventional EEG recorded at the end of the first week of life prooved to be the more valuable tool in predicting prognosis for infants with HIE. Our results support the hypothesis that HIE prognosis is well valued by simultaneous recording of CFM trace and repeated EEG.