title: Fast activity during EEG seizures in neonates.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Paroxysmal fast activity (FA) has been proposed as a marker for epileptic networks. We explore the presence and significance of ictal FA on scalp video EEG seizures (EEG Sz) recorded in neonates.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty two babies had 159 EEG Szs. The seizures were analysed for ictal FA, using a low frequency filter of 30 Hz. We explored the relationship of ictal FA to the occurrence of electroclinical and electrographic seizures, the use of phenobarbitone and to neurodevelopmental outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ictal FA occurred in 62 (39%) of the 159 EEG Szs. In the 62 seizures with ictal FA, 34 (55%) were electroclinical seizures (ECSz) and 28 (45%) were electrographic (ESz). In the remaining 97 seizures without ictal FA, 27 (28%) were ECSz and 70 (72%) ESz. There was a significant correlation (p=0.0006) between ictal FA and electroclinical seizures. There was no relationship between phenobarbitone and presence of ictal FA. There was no significant difference in the background EEG, neuroimaging abnormalities, neurodevelopmental impairment or post neonatal seizures between those with and without ictal FA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ictal FA is highly correlated to the occurrence of clinical features during an EEG seizure. The presence of ictal FA does not appear to influence neurodevelopmental outcomes.
authors: Department of Neurology, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Roberts Road, Subiaco, Perth, WA 6008, Australia. lakshmi.nagarajan@health.wa.gov.au
authors: Lakshmi
authors: L
authors: Nagarajan
authors: Soumya
authors: S
authors: Ghosh
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Palumbo
authors: Tomoyuki
authors: T
authors: Akiyama
authors: Hiroshi
authors: H
authors: Otsubo
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014741:Video Recording
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D010634:Phenobarbital