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Neuropediatrics 2011; 42(04): 152-155
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1283156
Short Communication
Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Early Infantile Electroencephalography in Patients with Spina Bifida[*]

I. Cuppen
1   Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Department of Paediatric Neurology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
,
A. Vinck
2   Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Department of Medical Psychology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
,
N. Geerdink
1   Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Department of Paediatric Neurology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
,
J. J. Rotteveel
1   Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Department of Paediatric Neurology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
,
N. Roeleveld
3   Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and HTA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
,
J. W. Pasman
4   Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 24 November 2010

accepted 22 June 2011

Publication Date:
28 July 2011 (online)

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Abstract

Objective:

The aim of this prospective study was to assess the prognostic value of electroencephalography in infants born with spina bifida.

Methods:

31 infants with spina bifida born between 2002 and 2007 at the Radboud Nijmegen University Medical Centre were evaluated and followed for 2½ years. Electroencephalography (EEG) was performed during the first 8 weeks after birth.

Results:

EEG recordings were all within normal limits and showed no abnormalities. 3 of the 31 children showed mild mental disability and major physical disabilities at the age of 30 months.

Conclusion:

Single Infantile EEG recordings are of limited prognostic value for infants born with spina bifida. Serial EEG recordings in combination with other clinical or neurophysiological investigations might ameliorate the contributing predictive value of neonatal EEG.

Key words

spina bifida - outcome - infants - electroencephalography
*

* The present study is part of the Nijmegen Interdisciplinary Spina Bifida (NISB) program, a research program dedicated to decision making in spina bifida based on clinical and family data concerning prognosis as well as family support. The participants in this program are: (1) Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre: Departments of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and HTA (N. Roeleveld), Obstetrics & Gynaecology (F.K. Lotgering, A.J. Eggink), Medical Psychology (B. Maassen, A. Vinck), and Paediatric Neurology (N. Geerdink, I. Cuppen, R. Mullaart, J. Rotteveel) and (2) Radboud University Nijmegen: Family and Child Care Studies (J. Gerris, J. Janssens, I. Vermaes).


 

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