Electroencephalogram In Children

What you should know

• An electroencephalogram (e-lek-tro-en-SEF-ah-lo-gram) is usually called an "EEG". An EEG measures the electrical activity made by your child's brain. A machine or a computer is used to make a tracing that shows the electrical activity as "brain waves". Caregivers study this tracing to learn about your child's brain and how it is working. Your child will not get a shock from having an EEG. The machine or computer cannot "read" your child's mind.
  
  
• EEGs can help caregivers learn about epilepsy (EP-i-lep-see). Epilepsy is a condition where your child may have unusual electrical rhythms. These unusual rhythms may cause seizures (convulsions). EEGs also help caregivers learn about sleeping problems, brain injury, brain tumors, and many other problems.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your child's care. Learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your child's caregivers to decide what care you want for your child.

Risks

If your child has seizure (SEE-zhur) problems, the flashing light or other tests may cause a seizure during the EEG. Caregivers will be there to help him. If your child does not have this test, caregivers may not be able to treat your child's illness.

Getting Ready

• Take a list of your child's medicines or the medicine bottles to your child's caregiver. Ask the caregiver if any of the medicines should not be taken before the EEG. Do not stop giving any medicines to your child without asking his caregiver first.
  
  
• Talk to your child about the EEG. Explain to him that he must lie very still with his eyes closed during the EEG. Ask your child's caregiver about the best ways to prepare your child for the EEG.
  
  
• Your child's caregiver may want your child to have a sleep-deprived EEG. Sleep-deprived means that your child will get less than his usual amount of sleep the night before the EEG. You may be told to let your child sleep a certain number of hours, and then to wake him up. Your child will then need to stay awake the rest of the night.
  
  
• If your child is not having a sleep-deprived EEG, let him sleep normally the night before the test.
  
  
• Wash your child's hair before the EEG. Do not put any hair spray, oil, gel, or conditioners on your child's hair or scalp. Your child's scalp (skin on his head) and hair must be free of all of these during the EEG. Remove braids, hair extensions, and hairpieces from your child's hair the night before the EEG.
  
  
• Do not give your child any caffeine the morning of the test. This includes cocoa, energy bars, sports drinks, or soda pop (cola). Since many of these have caffeine in them, read the ingredient labels before your child eats or drinks any of them. Caffeine may change the result of your child's EEG.
  
  
• Give your child his regular breakfast or lunch before the EEG.
  
  
• Bring your child's favorite stuffed animal, toy, or blanket to the EEG. This may help your child feel more comfortable during the EEG.

Treatment

• Your child's EEG will be done in a room that is dark and quiet. Your child will either lie in a bed or sit in a reclining chair during the test. A caregiver will talk to your child about the EEG. The caregiver will measure your child's head, and scrub (clean) 16 to 25 areas of your child's scalp. Then, a gel or cream will be placed on these areas. Electrodes (patches) or tiny needles that your child will not feel will be placed on the gel or cream. The electrodes will be connected with wires to a machine or computer. An electrode may be put on each earlobe.
  
  
• Your child must lie very still with his eyes closed. He must try to relax. He must not talk during the test. The EEG machine or computer will record your child's brain waves. During the EEG, your child may be asked to hyperventilate (hi-per-VEN-ti-late). This means he may need to breathe deeply and quickly for two to three minutes. Your child may be asked to look into a bright flashing light (strobe light) or to go to sleep. Your child may be videotaped during the EEG. After the EEG, caregivers will remove the electrodes, wires, and gel or cream. Most EEGs are done in 60 to 90 minutes.

Contact a caregiver if

• You and your child cannot make it to the EEG appointment on time.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your child's EEG.
  
  
• Your child has a fever.
  
  
• The problems for which your child is having the EEG get worse.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.