Non-invasive detection and identification of brain activity patterns in the developing fetus.
OBJECTIVE
Utilizing a MEG-based device specifically designed to study the fetus, we investigated the presence of salient patterns in spontaneous fetal brain activity.


METHODS
We performed 91 MEG recordings from 30 fetuses at various gestational ages. The tracings were evaluated and compared to the well-established electroencephalographic (EEG) features in premature infants. Also, we looked at the correlation of the gestational age (GA) on the occurrence of these patterns and complexes.


RESULTS
We were able to identify specific patterns and track changes in fetal brain activity starting at 28 weeks of gestation. The patterns and trends were similar to the established EEG features in premature infants at comparable ages. Of the 30 fetuses, 18 (60%) had at least one recording with discontinuity, 7 (23%) had sharp transients, and 8 (27%) had delta brush activity. Further there was a decrease in the presence of discontinuous patterns after 35 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
We have shown that fetal spontaneous brain activity features can be recorded and identified using MEG technique. The observation of more discontinuity at early gestational ages is consistent with the overall pattern of maturation seen in EEGs of premature infants.


CONCLUSIONS
With refinements, this method can aid in understanding the maturation process of fetal brain activity and further develop as a tool for fetal neurological evaluation.
Eswaran
Hari
H
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham Slot 518, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA. eswaranhari@uams.edu
Haddad
Naim I
NI
Shihabuddin
Bashir S
BS
Preissl
Hubert
H
Siegel
Eric R
ER
Murphy
Pam
P
Lowery
Curtis L
CL
D001921:Brain / Q000196:embryology*; D003700:Delta Rhythm; D004569:Electroencephalography; D047109:Fetal Development; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D015225:Magnetoencephalography