Cerebral function monitor in the neonate. I: Normal patterns.

The cerebral function monitor (CFM) is a monitoring device which records integrated encephalograms (EEGs on slow-running paper, allowing continuous observations of cerebral activity for prolonged periods. The CFM was assessed in 49 normal neonates of different gestational ages and was found to reflect EEG activity accurately. Gestational age and sleep-wake states could be differentiated and normal patterns were defined. The establishment of normal patterns will allow further assessment of the CFM as a screening tool for the neonate at risk for cerebral hypoxic ischemic injury.