24×7 Neonatal Critical Care

aEEG/Brain Monitoring for Newborns

Continuous, bedside amplitude-integrated aEEG monitoring that lets our neonatologist in patiala and neonatal team watch a baby’s brain activity in real time during birth asphyxia, seizures, therapeutic hypothermia, and other critical newborn conditions.

Why it matters for a critically ill newborn

A newborn in distress can look outwardly stable while the brain is under significant stress, or can have seizures that produce no visible movement at all. aEEG closes that gap between what a baby’s body shows and what the brain is actually experiencing.

Detects silent seizures

Many neonatal seizures have no visible outward sign. Continuous monitoring catches electrical seizure activity that would otherwise go unnoticed.

Guides cooling therapy

During therapeutic hypothermia for birth asphyxia, aEEG helps the team judge how the brain is recovering through the treatment window.

Tracks recovery trends

Background patterns evolve over hours and days. Continuous tracking shows whether brain activity is improving or declining, rather than relying on isolated checks.

Informs family conversations

Objective trend data helps our neonatologists have clearer, evidence based conversations with parents about a baby's condition and outlook.

What aEEG monitoring is

In Short

Amplitude-integrated EEG (aEEG) is a simplified, continuous form of brain-wave monitoring. A small set of scalp sensors track the baby’s background brain activity and pick up seizure activity, giving our neonatal team a live picture of brain function at the cot-side, hour after hour not just a single snapshot.

Unlike a standard EEG, which is read at one point in time by a specialist, aEEG is designed to run continuously in the NICU and be interpreted at the bedside by the treating neonatology team, so changes in a baby’s brain activity are seen as they happen.

How monitoring works in our NICU

Sensor placement

A small number of soft electrodes are placed on the baby's scalp — a quick, low-disturbance procedure that does not interrupt other NICU care.

Continuous recording

The monitor runs at the cot-side around the clock, displaying background brain activity trends alongside the baby's other vital signs.

Bedside interpretation

Our neonatology team reviews the trace directly at the bedside, so changes can prompt an immediate clinical response rather than waiting on an external report.

NICU-Integrated Care

aEEG findings are read alongside ventilation, cooling therapy, and other Level III NICU monitoring to shape the baby's overall treatment plan.

When we use aEEG

  • Babies with birth asphyxia or hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE), including those undergoing therapeutic hypothermia
  • Newborns with suspected or confirmed seizures
  • Extremely preterm babies at higher risk of brain bleeds or injury
  • Babies on ventilator support, HFOV or iNO therapy where sedation can mask clinical signs
  • Infants recovering from a difficult delivery, cardiac arrest, or severe infection affecting the brain
  • Any critically ill newborn where the neonatology team needs continuous insight into brain function, not periodic checks

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does aEEG stand for?

aEEG stands for amplitude-integrated electroencephalography. It is a simplified way of recording and displaying brain-wave activity so it can be monitored continuously rather than read only at a single moment.

2. Is aEEG the same as a regular EEG?

No. A standard EEG uses many electrodes and is typically recorded and reviewed at one point in time by a specialist. aEEG uses fewer electrodes, runs continuously at the cot-side, and is designed to be read as an ongoing trend by the NICU team looking after the baby.

3. Is the procedure safe and painful for a newborn?

aEEG is non-invasive. Soft electrodes are placed on the scalp using a gentle gel or adhesive, and the baby does not need to be sedated or moved for it. It does not add any pain and does not interfere with other NICU care the baby is receiving.

4. How long does a baby stay on aEEG monitoring?

Duration depends on the baby's condition. Babies undergoing therapeutic hypothermia for birth asphyxia are typically monitored through the cooling period and rewarming phase, while babies being watched for seizures may be monitored for as long as the clinical situation requires.

5. Can aEEG detect seizures that aren't visible?

Yes. This is one of its main uses. Many neonatal seizures produce no visible movement, and continuous aEEG monitoring can pick up the electrical activity of a seizure even when there is nothing to see outwardly.

6. Is aEEG monitoring available at DR. Vivneet's Vardaan Hospital at all times?

Yes. Our Level III NICU offers continuous brain function monitoring as part of 24×7 neonatal critical care, alongside ventilation support, therapeutic hypothermia and other advanced newborn services.

7. Will the results be explained to parents?

Yes. Our neonatology team reviews the trend directly and will talk you through what it shows about your baby's condition and how it is guiding the treatment plan.
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