ABSTRACT
Objectives To investigate the clinical characteristics of hypoglycemic brain damage, and to assess the ifndings of amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) and its predictive value in hypoglycemic brain damage. Methods Twenty-four neonates diagnosed with hypoglycaemia were selected. 12-hour continuous aEEG recordings were performed on the day when hypoglycaemia was diagnosed and second aEEG tracings was performed on the same day or the day after. The variability of aEEG background, appearance of sleep-wake cycling, bandwidth span and amplitude of lower border were analysed and compared with the results of brain MRI. Results Different degrees of epileptic seizures were found in neonates with severe hypoglycemic brain damage and were persisted after the blood sugar was corrected. aEEG in hypoglycemic brain damage was characterized by calyptriform or jagged epileptiform activity, disappearance of the sleep-wake cycle, but little impact on amplitude of lower border and bandwidth span. The recovery of sleep-wake cycle was a sign of brain function recovery. The aEEG and MRI had a good consistency in monitoring the hypoglycemic brain damage. Conclusions aEEG have signiifcant changes in hypoglycemic brain damage and can be used to monitor dynamically hypo-glycemic brain damage.