title: Ultrasound-Guided Second Trimester Fetal Electroencephalography in Two Pregnant Volunteers: A Technical Note.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Data from electroencephalography (EEG) in preterm infants and neonates suggest that electroencephalographic abnormalities are likely present during antepartum period or fetal stage. We describe our initial effort to record fetal EEG with emphasis on technical aspects since such technique has not been developed as a viable and reproducible method.
  
  
  METHODS
  The fetal heads were located in two pregnant volunteers (29 years old and 26 years old) with 28 weeks of gestation by ultrasound imaging. Four surface electrodes were placed on maternal abdominal surface approximately 5 cm anterior to the lateral aspect of fetal head as confirmed by acoustic shadowing of the electrodes on ultrasound. A second set of recordings were performed in first volunteer with four electrodes placed on the maternal abdominal surface in front of the uterus distant to fetal head.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The analysis in the first volunteer demonstrated that the activity consisted of mixture of theta (4-7 Hz) and delta (1-4 Hz) waves which formed approximately 70% and 30% of the background rhythm. The analysis in the second volunteer demonstrated that the activity consisted of mixture of theta and delta, which formed approximately 30% and 70% of the background rhythm. There was superimposed beta (13-30 Hz) and infrequently gamma (30-100 Hz) activity. Maternal electrocardiographic QRS complex and respiratory artifacts were seen in some leads. During second recording, the electrodes distant to fetal head recorded predominantly delta with lesser proportion of theta waves.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We report our initial experience in acquisition of fetal EEG. The findings reported here will help to guide further research into developing methodologies for the performance of fetal EEG.
authors.affiliation: Zeenat Qureshi Stroke Institute, Ping An Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China.
authors.forename: Adnan I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Qureshi
authors.affiliation: Zeenat Qureshi Stroke Institute, Ping An Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China.
authors.forename: Muhammad Shah
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Miran
authors.affiliation: Zeenat Qureshi Stroke Institute, Ping An Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China.
authors.forename: Shijing
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Zeenat Qureshi Stroke Institute, Ping An Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China.
authors.forename: Meijing
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jiang
keywords: Delta activity; electrodes; electroencephalography; fetal brain; fetal head; fetus; theta activity; ultrasound