Factors affecting the yield of pediatric EEGs in clinical practice.
Clinical factors affecting the yield of 2,500 pediatric electroencephalograms were analyzed. Electroencephalograms were interpreted as epileptiform in 40% of children with epilepsy. Most electroencephalograms were ordered for seizure in children not taking anti-epileptic drugs; just 15% showed epileptiform features. Six percent of electroencephalograms were epileptiform in non-seizure patients. The neurologist significantly influenced the odds of epileptiform interpretation (P = 0.022) and the recommendation to repeat the electroencephalogram (P < 0.001). In practice most electroencephalograms ordered for seizure are actually for non-seizure. In routine pediatric practice, electroencephalography has a low yield and appears to be over-used.
Gilbert
Donald L
DL
Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Ohio 45229-3039, USA.
Gartside
Peter S
PS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016015:Logistic Models; D015588:Observer Variation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results