Unilateral Transient Enhanced SEP during Integrated Multiparameter Neurophysiological Monitoring in a Newborn with Symptomatic Seizure

During Integrated Multiparametric Neurophysiological Monitoring (IMNA), a newborn with suspected hypoxia at birth and microhaemorrhagic and ischaemic lesions presented some clonic-tonic episodes with specific EEG patterns characterized by rolandic and temporal spikes and the appearance of a unilateral enhanced Somatosensory Evoked Potential (SEP) (10.45 mu v). Since the literature does not seem to describe cases of giant SEP in newborns, in this case report, we will discuss the hypotheses underlying this potential. It could be assumed that the ischaemic and haemorrhagic lesions presented by the newborn may have developed as a result of neurotransmitter balance failure. This may be the origin of the EEG picture, which, consequently, could have triggered a potential with high amplitude.

Automated summary

During Integrated Multiparametric Neurophysiological Monitoring (IMNA), specific EEG patterns characterized by rolandic and temporal spikes and the appearance of a unilateral enhanced Somatosensory Evoked Potential (SEP) were observed in a newborn with suspected hypoxia at birth and microhaemorrhagic and ischaemic lesions. This case report discusses the hypotheses underlying these findings, suggesting that the ischaemic and haemorrhagic lesions in the newborn may have resulted from a neurotransmitter balance failure, which could have triggered the high amplitude potential observed in the EEG.