Clinical Applications of Electroencephalogram in Children

* Corresponding Author: Wael Khreisat, P.O .box 211133, Amman 11121, Jordan. Phone office: 00962-6-5804804-66411 E-mail: [email protected] Introduction: To obtain a baseline for clinical application of Electroencephalography in children and to evaluate the Electroencephalography findings in children with various acute and chronic CNS disorders and non epileptic events. Methods: electroencephalography Electroencephalography records of 250 patients were studied in neurophysiology departments of Queen Rania ALAbdullah Hospital for children in Jordan. For each patient who had undergone Electroencephalography the following data were recorded: age, sex, source of referral (inpatient or outpatient department), reason for electroencephalography Electroencephalography , diagnostic impressions, clinical presentation, the result of the Electroencephalography examinations and clinical correlation between the seizure type and Electroencephalography finding. Results: Males slightly outnumbered females: 55% males. The majority of cases were Electroencephalography between 6-12 years, Total of 63.2 % of all referrals for Electroencephalography were from outpatient clinics while inpatients accounted for 36.8% of referred cases, with pediatric neurology department referrals being the highest (28.8 %). majority of diagnosis at referral were suspected epilepsy (80%)with epileptiform Electroencephalography abnormalities in 32%. Over all 64 % the Electroencephalography records were normal, including all Electroencephalography records of children with syncope and headache. Discussion: We conclude that there are many unnecessary routine Electroencephalography recordings in children. Investigation of epilepsy and acute encephalopathies appear to be the most valuable indications for routine pediatric Electroencephalography . Electroencephalography can be helpful in classification of seizures. Finding a way to reduce Electroencephalography requests is recommended. A B S T R A C T Article info: Received: 20 January 2011 First Revision: 2 February 2011 Accepted: 15 March 2011