title: Significance of background activity and positive sharp waves in neonatal electroencephalogram as prognostic of cerebral palsy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the significance of electroencephalographic background activity and positive sharp waves in neonatal electroencephalogram as prognostic of cerebral palsy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied prospectively and sequentially 73 newborns who had severe neonatal complications (neonatal anoxia, seizures, respiratory distress, sepsis, and meningitis). Nineteen newborns were excluded and 54 children formed the object of our study and were followed for 2 years. We analyzed gestational age, conceptional age, electroencephalographic background activity and positive sharp waves, which were correlated with cerebral palsy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no statistically significant correlation between gestational age and conceptional age and cerebral palsy; the electroencephalographic background activity was correlated with cerebral palsy as well as the positive sharp waves.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Children with electroencephalographic background activity markedly abnormal and accompanied by positive sharp waves were associated with a worse prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Hospital e Maternidade Cruz Azul de São Paulo, Brazil. cenosralla2@terra.com.br
authors.forename: Márcia de Oliveira Nicolini
authors.initials: Mde O
authors.lastname: Nosralla
authors.forename: Délrio Façanha
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Ricardo Vieira
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Botelho
mesh_terms: D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index