title: Being Born Small for Gestational Age Influences Amplitude-Integrated Electroencephalography and Later Outcome in Preterm Infants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The impact of growth restriction on perinatal morbidity is well known, but electroencephalographic (EEG) data on its influence are still scarce.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to analyze the influence of being born small for gestational age (SGA; defined as a birth weight <10th percentile) on the amplitude-integrated EEG (aEEG) score in the first 2 weeks of life in preterm infants born before 30 weeks of gestation, and its impact on later outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  aEEG data obtained within the first 2 weeks of life on preterm infants born SGA and before 30 weeks of gestational age (GA) were analyzed retrospectively using a combined score [including background activity, occurrence of sleep-wake cycles (SWC) and suspected seizure activity]. Neurodevelopmental outcome was evaluated at 24 months by means of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II and a standardized neurological examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and thirty-six patients were included (47 SGA and 89 controls). Infants with SGA had abnormal aEEG scores significantly more often (57 vs. 24%, p = 0.002) than infants born appropriate for gestational age (AGA). They also displayed SWC less frequently (65 vs. 96%, p = 0.001), were more likely to develop seizure activity (15 vs. 4%, p = 0.013) and had a normal neurodevelopmental outcome at the age of 2 years less frequently (36.2 vs. 59.6%, p = 0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preterm infants born SGA and before 30 weeks of GA had less optimal scores on early aEEG and a poorer neurodevelopmental outcome at 24 months than the AGA controls.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neonatology, Pediatric Intensive Care and Neuropediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schwindt
authors.forename: Cornelia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thaller
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Czaba-Hnizdo
authors.forename: Vito
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Giordano
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Olischar
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Waldhoer
authors.forename: Renate
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fuiko
authors.forename: Angelika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weninger
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Klebermass-Schrehof
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development*; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D036801:Parturition; D012189:Retrospective Studies