ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY is a well established useful laboratory test in the investigation of children as well as adults with suspected brain disease. At present this technique has been used to a limited extent by a small number of investigators interested in neonatal development and cerebral dysfunction. The purpose of this report is to consider the known clinical applications of this laboratory test, indications for its use, and areas for further investigation during the newborn period. In addition we will review our experience in this area. We have carried out electroencephalographic studies on more than 300 newborn infants. In most cases at least two EEGs were obtained during the first five days of life. Other workers1-3have adequately reviewed the characteristics of the neonatal EEG. Technique Elaborate equipment is unnecessary for this type of study. We have used a Grass Model 6, eight-channel, portable electroencephalograph placed in an unshielded room adjacent