Sepsis Associated Encephalopathy in Extremely Low Gestational Age Neonates

Abstract

Sepsis in premature infants is associated with long term adverse neurodevelopmental outcome. There have been no previous studies to assess the acute changes in brain function during sepsis that may lead to long term adverse neurologic outcomes. The goal of this study was to identify acute changes in brain function during sepsis in premature infants through the use of amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG). This study was a prospective observational study of 108 premature infants born at less than 28 weeks gestation. aEEG recordings were performed once monthly until 36 weeks postmenstrual age or discharge as well as an additional aEEG recording during their first episode of sepsis. All recordings were assessed for the presence of burst suppression and a maturition score was assigned. Burst suppression occurred more frequently during acute sepsis (OR 2.4, p=0.01), but the rate of aEEG maturation was not different between infants with and without sepsis. We conclude that sepsis is associated with acute encephalopathy, but does not alter the rate of brain wave maturation.