Topographic localization of electrocortical activation in newborn and two- to four-month-old infants in response to head-up tilting.
OBJECTIVE
(1) To confirm that head-up tilting causes sustained increases in the heart rate (HR) of newborn infants but not during the period of maximum vulnerability to SIDS at 2-4 mo of age, and (2) to determine whether electrocortical activation (changes in high-frequency EEG power) also shows topographic and age-dependent effects of tilting.


METHODS
HR and electrocortical activity were recorded in 15 newborn and 12 2- to 4-mo-old infants during head-up tilting. Infants were tilted, three times, to a 30 degrees head-up position. Electrocortical activity was acquired using a 128-lead EEG system. Changes in HR and high-frequency (12-50 Hz) power in the electrocortical signal were computed from the flat to the head-up position.


RESULTS
Newborn infants had significant increases in HR and robust increases in high-frequency power in the left frontal, right frontal-temporal, and occipital regions following head-up tilt. At 2 to 4 mo of age, HR did not change significantly and tilt-related increases in high-frequency power were smaller.


CONCLUSIONS
The patterns of HR change and electrocortical activation with tilting of newborn infants are different from infants at the age of highest risk for SIDS.
Grieve
Philip G
PG
Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA. pgg3@columbia.edu
Myers
Michael M
MM
Stark
Raymond I
RI
Housman
Sarah
S
Fifer
William P
WP
D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*