EEG of the brain in children

The electroencephalogram (EEG) is a simple way to examine the cerebral cortex in order to identify various diseases. In addition, the EEG is often prescribed to simply follow the child's development, to make sure there are no abnormalities.

How do EEG children?

The electroencephalogram is administered to the children in outpatient settings. Usually for these purposes a darkened room with a chair and changing table is used. To the child up to one year the procedure is carried out on the table in the supine position, or on the hands of the mother.

This procedure is absolutely safe for the child. First, the doctor will put a special cap on the child's head, to which the sensors (electrodes) are attached. To eliminate the air cushion between the cap and the scalp, the electrodes are wiped with saline or a special gel. These preparations are also completely safe for the child, they are easily washed off with plain water or with damp napkins.

For the EEG, the child should be at rest. Most often, the procedure is performed during sleep (even night, if there is an indication).

Prepare for an electroencephalogram in advance. The child should have a clean head, he must be full, dry, i.e. nothing should disturb or disturb. If the EEG is administered to a newborn, then it is required to feed it immediately before the procedure. With an older child, a parent must necessarily hold a preliminary conversation about what awaits him, as much detail as possible about all the manipulations that the doctor will take, that it does not hurt at all, will not bring the baby any harm, that on the contrary, it's even interesting. You can take with you to the clinic favorite baby toys, a book to entertain a small fidget.

The doctor will ask the child during the procedure to help a little: breathe deeply, close and open the eyes, squeeze the cam, etc. The task of the parents at this moment is to watch the child's head so that it is not tilted down, otherwise artifacts will be recorded. Total EEG lasts about 15-20 minutes, not long at all.

Indications for EEG in children

The appointment to carry out the EEG to the child is prescribed by a neurologist in a variety of cases. More often such reasons are:

• restless sleep ;
• convulsions;
• headaches in the morning and evening;
• sudden loss of consciousness by the child;
• epileptic seizures ;
• excessive irritability, tearfulness;
• deviations in mental development.

Often the neurologist directs the EEG of the child after a fall to make sure that the brain continues to function normally.

EEG results in children

Traditionally, parents can take the results of the EEG procedure the next day, and in the outpatient card of the child a copy of the conclusion is pasted. At the same time, it is worth noting that the conclusion of the electroencephalogram abounds with medical terms, which are often not correctly understood by parents. Do not panic at once. Entrust the decoding of your children's EEG to a specialist. Only a trained doctor can accurately understand its meaning. Be sure to store the result of the EEG, because if a pathology is found, these results will help doctors make a picture of the disease. And with repeated EEG procedures, a neuropathologist will be easier to follow the dynamics of changes in the brain.

All arising questions on the results of the electroencephalogram should immediately be asked by the doctor. With its help, you, if necessary, can stop the development of the disease in the initial stage. Thus, providing your child with a healthy future.