Prognostic significance of polygraphic recordings in newborn infants on ventilation.

In a prospective study, 79 preterm and fullterm newborn infants who had been on assisted ventilation for at least five days were recorded polygraphically between the fifth and eighth day of life. 73 were still intubated and on assisted ventilation at the time of recording. 61 of the infants were again recorded polygraphically between 14 and 34 days after birth. The findings of both first and second recordings correlated with psychomotor development up to one year, or with postmortem examinations. The first recordings were highly significant to the prognosis, especially for infants whose gestations were more than 33 weeks. The second polygram showed a similar correlation with later development. Neurological examinations were performed on the same day as the first polygraphic recording: they were less significant prognostically for the preterm infants compared with polygraphic findings, and of no prognostic significance for the fullterm infants.