Cortical, brainstem and autonomic nervous system dysfunction in infants with post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of central and autonomic dysfunction by means of electroencephalographic (EEG) and cardio-pneumographic recording (CPGR) in infants with Post-Hemorrhagic Hydrocephalus (PHH).


METHODS
Nineteen infants with PHH were studied, born from October 1998 to January 2000. Clinical diagnosis was confirmed by cephalic perimeter measurement and ultrasonographic study. Eight channel bipolar EEG and CPGR were performed after sleep deprivation, EEG features studied were: Temporal organization, symmetry, synchrony, frequency of normal and abnormal patterns. CPGR features studied were: Frequency of apnea and temporal organization by means of beat to beat variability.


RESULTS
Averages of birth's age and weight, Apgar scores at one and five minutes, and cephalic perimeter showed lower values in PHH infants. PHH infants showed abnormalities in EEG and CPGR such as: Higher discontinuous activity (63%), asymmetry (73%), asynchrony (89%), abnormal EEG patterns (89%), apnea (26%) and absence of heart rate variability (63%).


CONCLUSIONS
EEG and CPGR recordings are a useful tools in the examination of infants with PHH. These findings suggest cortical-subcortical, and brainstem dysfunction with severe encephalopathy and autonomic nervous dysfunction related to ventricular dilatation in infants with PHH.
Robles
Pilar
P
Departamento de Neonatología, Hospital Pediátrico de Peralvillo DDF.
Poblano
Adrián
A
Hernández
Guadalupe
G
Ibarra
Jorge
J
Guzmán
Irma
I
Sosa
Jesús
J
D001034:Apgar Score; D001049:Apnea / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001724:Birth Weight; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001933:Brain Stem / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002508:Cephalometry; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D006819:Hyaline Membrane Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006932:Hyperbilirubinemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007239:Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology