Advanced electrodes to diagnose neurological pathologies in neonates

Albert Fabregat-Sanjuan

Fundació Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Spain

The incidence of brain damage is especially high in the neonatal period and can present as a lack of muscle tone or in the form of seizures, often subtle or difficult to detect. An early diagnosis of brain function is essential to ensure an early diagnosis and adequate treatment.

It is for this reason that integrated amplitude electroencephalography (aEEG), a procedure used to identify epilepsies and brain damage, is indispensable in neonatal intensive care units. However, the electrodes used to monitor brain function do not always meet the necessary requirements of neonates. For example, newborns, in particular those born preterm, have very thin and fragile skin which is prone to damage from the electrodes.

The researchers have designed a new specific electrode that allows a better recording of the neuronal activity of the brain, that is also easy to place and remove with greater safety for the newborn. The designed electrode takes into consideration necessary factors such as flexibility to enable comfortable handling of the baby, better signal quality for long term recordings, and a translucent design to be able to see the skin and avoid damage as much as possible.