Introduction Electroencephalographic activity may be influenced by several factors including the gestation of the infant, blood pressure (BP) and inotropic support.¹ However, previous studies have used a mixture of invasive and non-invasive BP measurements. We hypothesised that increasing BP and gestation is associated with increased electroencephalographic activity.

Methods Infants born < 29 weeks were prospectively recruited into the study within 12 h of age. Infants had continuous invasive BP and amplitude integrated EEG (aEEG) measured for the first three days of life. Cross cerebral EEG was analysed for the mean, maximum and minimum amplitude. Continuously measured invasive BP was studied in six 12 h epochs. A 4 h period of artefact free EEG and BP data was matched for analysis (SPSS v21, MATLAB). Research ethics approval (12/LO/1553) and written parental consent was obtained.

Results In 18 subjects, mean (range) gestation and birth weight were 25.4 (23–28) weeks and 756 (515–1070) grams respectively. At most time points after 12 h BP was positively associated with aEEG activity with a stronger association than gestation. At 0–12 h, babies on inotropes had significantly lower aEEG activity (p = 0.013), with no evidence of gestation or BP having an effect.

Conclusions There was an association between continuously measured invasive BP and aEEG activity at most time points. However, at 0–12 h we found aEEG activity was lower in babies receiving inotropic support.

Reference

1. Shah D, Paradisis M, Bowen JR. Relationship between systemic blood flow, blood pressure, inotropes, and aEEG in the first 48 h of life in extremely preterm infants. Pediatric Research 2013