RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Preterm infants are at risk for altered brain maturation resulting in neurodevelopmental impairments. Topographical analysis of high-density electroencephalogram during sleep matches underlying brain maturation. Using such an EEG mapping approach could identify preterm infants at risk early in life. METHODS: 20 preterm (gestational ageâ¯<â¯32â¯weeks) and 20 term-born infants (gestational ageâ¯>â¯37â¯weeks) were recorded by 18-channel daytime sleep-EEG at term age (GA 40â¯weeks for preterm and 2-3â¯days after birth for term infants) and 3â¯months (corrected age for preterm infants). RESULTS: Preterm infant's power spectrum at term age is immature, leveling off with term infants at 3â¯months of age. Topographical distribution of maximal power density however, reveals qualitative differences between the groups until 3â¯months of age. Preterm infants exhibit more temporal than central activation at term age and more occipital than central activation at 3â¯months of age. Moreover, being less mature at term age predicts being less mature at 3â¯months of age. CONCLUSION: Topographical analysis of sleep EEG reveals changes in brain maturation between term and preterm infants early in life. SIGNIFICANCE: In future, automated analysis tools using topographical power distribution could help identify preterm infants at risk early in life.