Electroencephalogram (EEG)

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KEY POINTS

• An EEG is a procedure that records the electrical activity in your child's brain.
• It can help check for medical problems such as epilepsy or other seizure disorders, sleep problems, brain infection, or brain tumors.
• An EEG is painless and normally takes 45 minutes. You can usually take your child home as soon as the procedure is done.

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What is an EEG?

The nerve cells in your brain work by carrying tiny electrical charges. An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a procedure that records this electrical activity in the brain.

When is it used?

An EEG can help your healthcare provider diagnose medical problems such as:

• Epilepsy or other seizure disorders
• Sleep problems
• Dementia, which is the loss of the ability to think, remember, reason, and plan
• Brain infection
• Brain tumors

This procedure is sometimes used during surgery to check the effect of anesthesia. It may be used to confirm brain death in cases of severe injury or illness.

How do I prepare for an EEG?

• Your child may or may not need to take regular medicines the day of the procedure. Tell your child’s healthcare provider about all medicines and supplements your child takes. Ask your provider if your child needs to avoid taking any medicine or supplements before the procedure.
• Tell your child’s healthcare provider if your child has any food, medicine, or other allergies such as latex.
• Tell your healthcare provider if your child has a pacemaker.
• Tell your child’s healthcare provider if your older child is may be pregnant or is breastfeeding.
• Ask if there is anything your child should avoid before the procedure such as smoking cigarettes or having food or drinks that contain caffeine.
• Have your child take a bath or shower and wash hair with shampoo, but not conditioner, the night before the EEG. Some EEG labs ask that the hair be clean and free of hair products such as hairspray, gel, or mousse.
• Follow any other instructions your child’s healthcare provider gives you. If your child is expected to sleep during the EEG, your provider may ask your child to sleep less or avoid sleep the night before the procedure.
• Ask any questions you have before the procedure. You should understand what your healthcare provider is going to do. You have the right to make decisions about your child’s healthcare and to give permission for any tests or procedures.

What happens during the procedure?

An EEG is painless and normally takes 60 minutes once the electrodes are placed, or it may be done as part of an overnight sleep test. During the procedure your child will relax in a reclining chair or bed. Small metal plates (electrodes) will be pasted or taped to your child’s head. The electrodes will send information to a machine that records your child’s brain waves on paper. Young children do not like the feel of the electrodes, but it doesn’t hurt except for some mild discomfort when the electrodes are removed.

EEGs may be done while your child is:

• Sleeping. Your child may be given a medicine to help with sleep.
• Resting with eyes closed. For babies, this may be done by placing a hand over the baby’s eyes and playing peek-a-boo.
• Resting with eyes open
• Breathing rapidly, and just after
• Looking at a flashing light

The EEG records how your child’s brain responds to these different situations.

Your child may have a video EEG instead. During a video EEG, your child is watched on a video screen for several hours. This allows healthcare providers to see your child's brainwave activity when your child has a seizure.

What happens after the procedure?

Your child may be able to go home as soon as the procedure is done.

Ask your child’s healthcare provider how and when you will get your child’s procedure results.

Make sure you know when your child should come back for a checkup. Keep all appointments for provider visits or tests.

What are the risks of this procedure?

There is little risk with an EEG. Rarely, an EEG can cause a seizure in a person who has a seizure disorder, and medical care would be provided. Discuss any concerns you have with your healthcare provider.