What EEG finding can suggest a pathology in a neonate's sleep pattern?

High amplitude delta waves in a neonate's EEG can suggest a pathology related to sleep patterns. In healthy neonates, sleep cycles usually exhibit a range of brain activity, including periods of active sleep characterized by low voltage mixed frequency activity and sleep spindles. The presence of high amplitude delta waves, particularly when they are sustained or abnormal for the age of the infant, may indicate underlying neurological issues such as hypoxia, intracranial hemorrhage, or other forms of brain injury. In this context, high amplitude delta waves signify a significant deviation from the expected normal EEG patterns and could therefore imply the presence of pathology.

Frequent sleep spindles represent a normal finding in sleeping infants rather than a sign of pathology, as they reflect a healthy brain's activity during sleep. Absence of frequent movements might refer to a lack of some normal muscle activity during sleep, but it does not specifically indicate a pathological sleep pattern without consideration of other factors. Consistent theta activity is typically associated with certain stages of sleep and may not be inherently abnormal, particularly if observed appropriately within the context of the neonate's developmental stage.