Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Perinatal/Neonatal Case Presentation
  • Published:

Perinatal/Neonatal Case Presentation

Paradoxical downward seizure pattern on amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram

Abstract

The use of amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) to assess brain function and detect seizures has been increasing worldwide. Results from previous studies have demonstrated that seizure patterns can be recognized as transient rises on aEEG traces. We report here a case of an infant with neonatal seizures that showed paradoxical transient drops on aEEG traces. The ictal EEG showed initial low-amplitude fast rhythmic activity followed by epileptic recruiting rhythms and high-voltage slow waves. Therefore, downward patterns on aEEG traces should be recognized as suspected seizure patterns.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Hellström-Westas L, Rosén I . Continuous brain-function monitoring: state of the art in clinical practice. Semin Fetal Neonatal Med 2006; 11 (6): 503–511.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. de Vries LS, Toet MC . Amplitude integrated electroencephalography in the full-term newborn. Clin Perinatol 2006; 33 (3): 619–632 vi.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. El-Dib M, Chang T, Tsuchida TN, Clancy RR . Amplitude-integrated electroencephalography in neonates. Pediatr Neurol 2009; 41 (5): 315–326.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Murray DM, Boylan GB, Ali I, Ryan CA, Murphy BP, Connolly S . Defining the gap between electrographic seizure burden, clinical expression and staff recognition of neonatal seizures. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2008; 93 (3): F187–191.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Rosén I . The physiological basis for continuous electroencephalogram monitoring in the neonate. Clin Perinatol 2006; 33 (3): 593–611 v.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Watanabe K, Hara K, Iwase K . The evolution of neurophysiological features in holoprosencephaly. Neuropadiatrie 1976; 7 (1): 19–41.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Demyer W, White PT . EEG in holoprosencephaly (Arhinencephaly). Arch Neurol 1964; 11: 507–520.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Shah KN, Rajadhyaksha S, Shah VS, Wakde M . EEG recognition of holoprosencephaly and Aicardi syndrome. Indian J Pediatr 1992; 59 (1): 103–108.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Dubourg C, Bendavid C, Pasquier L, Henry C, Odent S, David V . Holoprosencephaly. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2007; 2: 8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Yang MT, Lee WT, Peng SS, Lin HC, Tseng CL, Liang JS et al. The roles of electroencephalography and neuroimaging in children with holoprosencephaly. Epileptic Disord 2004; 6 (3): 173–180.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Plawner LL, Delgado MR, Miller VS, Levey EB, Kinsman SL, Barkovich AJ et al. Neuroanatomy of holoprosencephaly as predictor of function: beyond the face predicting the brain. Neurology 2002; 59 (7): 1058–1066.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Hellström-Westas L, Vries LSD, Rosen I . An Atlas of Amplitude-Integrated EEGs in the Newborn. The Parthenon Publishing Group: New York, 2003 pp. 51–57.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank Drs T Negoro and H Yamamoto for critical comments on the interpretation of EEG results.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M Ito.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ito, M., Kidokoro, H., Sugiyama, Y. et al. Paradoxical downward seizure pattern on amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram. J Perinatol 34, 642–644 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2013.84

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2013.84

Search

Quick links