EEG-Based Decision-Support Algorithm for Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy in Term Newborns

The algorithm under investigation was developed in a previous retrospective clinical study (registered as NCT05114070; French CNIL/ethics ref CER-2021-023; approved by the Sorbonne University ethics committee) and is based on background-rhythm analysis of EEG. Newborns are analyzed in two subgroups: those who received a treatment liable to modify the EEG tracing, and those who did not. Conventional EEG recordings are collected from the neurophysiology departments of participating level-3 maternity hospitals over the period 01 January 2016 to 30 April 2026. No follow-up or sampling is performed.

Inclusion criteria

• No parental opposition to the use of the child's medical data within 1 month of the mailed information notice
• Gestational age ≥ 36 weeks of amenorrhea
• Birth weight ≥ 1800 g
• Born in a context of perinatal asphyxia (any cause) leading to suspected HIE, with EITHER biological signs of metabolic acidosis (pH ≤ 7 or base deficit ≥ 16 mmol/L or lactate ≥ 11 mmol/L within the first hour of life, any blood sample) OR a history of asphyxia with Apgar ≤ 5 at 10 minutes or need for ventilatory resuscitation continued at 10 minutes of life
• Non-compressed conventional EEG (EEGc) recorded before the 6th hour of life
• EEG including the signal of active electrodes Fp1, Fp2, T3 and T4

Exclusion criteria

• Participation in a therapeutic biomedical research liable to modify the EEG tracing
• Fewer than 20 minutes of artifact-free EEG recording
• Signal from active electrodes Fp1, Fp2, T3 and T4 not exploitable