title: Feasibility and clinical utility of early electroencephalogram (EEG) in children with first seizure.
abstract: The feasibility and clinical utility of early electroencephalogram (within 48 hours) was studied in 127 children (age, 1 month-17 years) referred for a "first seizure." The electroencephalogram was considered late after 48 hours. Electroencephalogram abnormalities were classified as nonepileptiform or epileptiform. Children were classified as having an "epileptic" or "nonepileptic" event. An early electroencephalogram was obtained in 23 (18%). Late referral (n = 36), weekend event (n = 23), difficulty contacting families (n = 11), parental schedules (n = 9), and laboratory scheduling (n = 11) resulted in late electroencephalograms. All 94 children with an epileptic event had an electroencephalogram, 19 (20%) within 48 hours. Results were abnormal in 9 (47%) early (7 epileptiform, 2 nonepileptiform) and 35 (44%) late (30 epileptiform, 5 nonepileptiform). Increased abnormalities were not seen with early electroencephalography (P = .50). Early electroencephalograms may not be feasible in the pediatric population and did not show a higher yield of abnormalities.
authors.affiliation: Alberta Children's Hospital, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. lhamiwka@ucalgary.ca
authors.forename: Lorie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hamiwka
authors.forename: Neetu
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kozlik
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wirrell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012640:Seizures / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012892:Sleep Deprivation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013997:Time Factors