In the UK, approximately 1 in 1,000 to 3.5 in 1,000 births result in neonatal encephalopathy due to perinatal hypoxia-ischaemia. This condition is a significant cause of brain injury in newborns and requires careful management to improve outcomes. Currently, the primary treatment for global brain injury in neonates is therapeutic hypothermia. Hypothermia is, however, generally most effective for infants with mild to moderate injuries and, despite treatment, many of these infants still experience developmental delays.
A study is being carried out to identify novel treatment strategies, to improve short and long-term outcomes of infants with neonatal brain injuries. The multi-institutional, international collaboration involved in the study includes industry partners, together with researchers from the University Medical Center Utrecht (Utrecht, Netherlands) and UT Health San Antonio (Texas, USA).
In the ongoing study, an innovative groundbreaking treatment to ameliorate the damage of newborn hypoxic-ischaemic brain injury in an animal model is being evaluated. This treatment is aimed to serve as an effective alternative, or addition, to hypothermia with an increased effect, potentially even in infants with more severe brain injury. In order to monitor the extent of brain injury and response to the experimental treatment, high-quality EEG recordings are required. The EEG apparatus chosen for the study needed to be suited to the unique demands of the neonatal intensive care setting.
To monitor the brain activity in neonatal models, ANT Neuro’s nëo™ aEEG monitor was selected for the study and has proved to be an excellent solution. The nëo™ aEEG system offers high-quality, continuous data without disrupting clinical care. The option to use needle electrodes assured quality long duration tracings and straightforward user-interfacing allowed all team members to ensure data collection occurred as scheduled, even if they were not specifically trained on EEG recording.
During the study, ANT Neuro’s nëo™ did not have any adverse effects on clinical care, nor did it interfere with any clinical or research protocols. In addition, ample data storage space allowed for around the clock recording, generating a wealth of data for later use. Experiments are not yet concluded but the preliminary results are promising. Following the completion of these experiments, clinical trials in human neonates are expected to begin.
ANT Neuro’s nëo™ is exclusively available in the UK from Central Medical Supplies (CMS). The state-of-the-art device is the optimal solution for fast and simple routine neonatal bedside brain monitoring. nëo™ easily integrates into a busy Neonatal Intensive Care Unit’s (NICU) neonatal brain monitoring protocols, delivering vital information to clinicians to assist with earlier diagnosis and treatment.
For more information on nëo™, contact Sarah Ward, Brand and Product Manager at Central Medical Supplies, on 07985 425 397 or email sarah.ward@centralmedical.co.uk. Alternatively, you can find out more by visiting www.centralmedical.co.uk.
