Paroxysmal beta activity in the pediatric electroencephalogram.
A total of 5,401 electroencephalograms performed in the Seizure Unit at Children's Hospital Medical Center over a 12-month period were analyzed for the presence of paroxysmal beta activity. Nine examples were found in patients under the age of 10 years, each of whom had a clinical seizure disorder. Seven patients showed abnormalities such as tumor, cerebral dysgenesis, or hydrocephalus on CAT scans or skull roentgenograms. Paroxysmal beta activity should be considered a manifestation of a seizure disorder. Furthermore, the finding of paroxysmal beta activity on an electroencephalogram in the young child should lead to further evaluation for a possible structural lesion.
D001611:Beta Rhythm; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*