Timing of periventricular leukomalacia using neonatal electroencephalography

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the timing of brain damage involved in the onset of periventricular leukomalacia in the perinatal period we recorded and analyzed neonatal electroencephalograms (EEGs). METHODS: Twenty-four preterm birth infants proved by real time ultrasonic examination or MRI to be suffering from periventricular leukomalacia underwent serial electroencephalography from soon after birth. RESULTS: Thirteen (54%) demonstrated intrauterine injury patterns, 2 infants (8%) showed postnatal injury, and in the remaining 9 cases (38%) the time of injury could not be determined by electroencephalography. Antepartum maternal hemorrhage (6), premature rupture of membranes (3), twining (3), chorioamnionitis (2), and perinatal asphyxia (2) were complications encountered in the group with intrauterine injury patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Our observations suggest that more than half of periventricular leukomalacia cases are associated with premature birth infants showing intrauterine injury patterns on electroencephalography, indicating the existence of intrauterine insult.