title: Power spectral analysis of two-channel EEG in very premature infants undergoing heat loss prevention.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate whether wearing a wool cap, a routine practice used to prevent heat loss in premature infants, affects interpretation of electroencephalogram spectral analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen premature infants (median gestational age 28 weeks, range 23-32) without neurological complications were randomized to two channel (C3, C4 referred to Cz) digital electroencephalogram recordings with (90 min) and without (90 min) wearing wool cap, at 4 days of life. Electroencephalogram was analyzed automatically by measurement of burst suppression ratio and asymmetry index and by Fast Fourier Transform to calculate total absolute spectral power; relative spectral power in the δ (0.5-3.5 Hz), θ (4-7.5 Hz), α (8-12.5 Hz), and β (13-30 Hz) frequency bands; spectral edge frequency; and mean dominant frequency.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The use of wool cap had no effect on all electroencephalogram parameters considered. Gestational age showed an effect on relative spectral power of all considered bands, spectral edge frequency and mean dominant frequency, while no effect was seen on burst suppression ratio and asymmetry index. Neonates born at gestational weeks lower than 28 had significantly higher relative power in the δ band and lower relative power in the α and β bands.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Heat loss prevention using wool cap does not affect interpretation of spectral electroencephalogram. Spectral values in our group of very premature infants without neurological complications correspond to normal data reported in the literature. Maturation changes consist of reduction of relative power of the δ band, spectral edge frequency and mean dominant frequency.
authors.affiliation: Child Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Paediatric University Hospital, University of Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Suppiej
authors.affiliation: Child Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Paediatric University Hospital, University of Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Festa
authors.affiliation: Child Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Paediatric University Hospital, University of Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bartolini
authors.affiliation: Child Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Paediatric University Hospital, University of Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cappellari
authors.affiliation: Child Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Paediatric University Hospital, University of Padua, Italy. Electronic address: elisa.cainelli@libero.it.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cainelli
authors.affiliation: Biostatistical Unit, Department of Neuroscience, University of Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ermani
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Children's Hospital, University of Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Trevisanuto
mesh_terms: D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D003020:Clothing; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D062071:Infant, Extremely Premature / Q000502:physiology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011247:Pregnancy
keywords: Analyse spectrale; Bonnet de laine; EEG néonatal; EEG quantifié; Maturation; Neonatal EEG; Premature birth; Prématurité; Prévention thermique; Quantitative EEG analysis; Wool cap