Electroencephalogram of the brain, its conduct in children

The cerebral cortex is in a state of constant electrical activity, which is the result of the appearance of synaptic potentials, electrical discharges in nerve cells. For the first time, the generation of electrical vibrations was discovered by physiologists Katon and Danilevsky. In 1929, Berger first recorded the electrical activity that occurs in the human head, which was called the brain's electroencephalogram or EEG short.

The procedure plays an important role in the study and evaluation of different areas of the cortex. In our time, an electroencephalogram of the brain and Its parameters Quite a lot have been studied. In a person who is in a calm state, in the greater part of the cortex a constant and regular rhythm (alpha rhythm) is recorded . With active activity, the constant rhythm changes to more frequent, it is called betta-rhythm. During sleep, the rhythm slows down, it was called the delta rhythm.

Similar changes occur when the ascending paths are projected, projecting into the cortex. As a result of the above, an electroencephalogram of the brain allows us to assess the state of the cortex. With its help, one can judge the depth of narcotic sleep during medical manipulations, the presence of pathological processes in certain areas of the brain.

The electroencephalogram in children, especially in the first year of life, makes it possible to assess the presence of pathological processes. It is also possible to assess their dynamics and the degree of brain damage after birth trauma and developmental abnormalities.

Diseases in which an electroencephalogram of the brain is performed

This examination is performed when there are convulsive seizures, the cause of which lies in the brain. With the help of the EEG, the effectiveness of the treatment is evaluated in the early forms of epilepsy, the correct selection of antiepileptic drugs is carried out, especially in young children, where an exact dosage is required, depending on weight and age. Also, this examination is indicated for tumor lesions of the brain, severe injuries, circulatory disorders in vascular diseases and developmental anomalies, and many other diseases. EEG is used to assess the development of the brain and its electrical activity when the child lags behind in psychomotor and speech development.

How is the brain encephalogram performed?

The EEG procedure is painless and simple enough to perform. Therefore, it is conducted in a planned manner to children of the first year of life and older children in the clinic. The child in EEG performance is in a soundproofed and light-insulated room. It is placed on a changing table or, if older, on a chair. For the calmness of the child during the examination, it is desirable that the mother or other close person be near. Before the beginning of the examination, a special cap is put on the head on a fabric basis or in the form of a rubber mesh. On it, the doctor places the necessary electrodes, to which are connected the wires connected to the apparatus (the encephalograph). The electrodes are wetted by a conductive gel or physiological solution before starting the pulse recording . On the area of the auricles, inactive electrodes are installed.

The head of the child during the registration should be straight upright and should not lean forward. Otherwise, artifacts will be recorded. An electroencephalogram of the brain to small children is performed during daytime sleep. It is important that the child is calm and does not commit active movements.

How to prepare a baby for EEG?

On the eve it is necessary to bathe a child. A baby should be full, otherwise it will be whimsical and restless.

Older children can take a toy. In advance it is necessary to tell the child about the forthcoming procedure, so that he is not afraid and behaved calmly.

By time, the EEG takes, on average, 20-30 minutes.

The doctor may be asked to perform simple manipulations, such as clenching the fist, deep breathing movements, opening and closing the eyes and others.

An analysis of the EEG obtained is performed by a physician and the result is concluded with the conclusion the next day. Before carrying out EEG it is necessary to bring previous pictures, if any. This will allow us to assess the dynamics of the process.