title: Brief rhythmic discharges in neonates: a marker for seizures.
abstract: Brief rhythmic discharges (BRDs) are paroxysms of rhythmic electrographic activity with an amplitude of >2 μV and a duration of <10 seconds. Although BRDs are reported in neonates, this electrographic activity contrasts the accepted definition of neonatal seizures (duration of >10 seconds). BRDs are associated with background EEG abnormalities as well as increased morbidity and mortality (Oliveira et al., 2000, Nagarajan et al., 2011), and appear to be more closely related to formal neonatal seizures than post-neonatal epilepsy (Nagarajan et al., 2011). Most neonatal units are restricted to one-hour recordings, and if BRDs are observed without any accompanying electrographic seizures, then the neonate should be regarded as being at high risk of seizures and repeat recordings should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
authors.forename: James J P
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Alix
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
authors.forename: Athi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ponnusamy
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatal and Paediatric Neurology, Ryegate Children's Centre, Sheffield Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK.
authors.forename: Anthony R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Hart
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers; D004569:Electroencephalography; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012640:Seizures / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: EEG; brief rhythmic discharges; neonate; seizure