Your child will be asked to lie down on a bed.You may bring along a “comfort” item - such as a stuffed animal or “blankie” - for your child to hold during the test.Īn EEG is simple and painless.These drinks include soda or pop with caffeine, coffee and tea. Your child should not have any drinks that have caffeine in them on the day of the test.Your child’s doctor will give you specific instructions about when your child can eat before and after the test.Bring a list of all the medications your child takes, including how often your child takes each medication and how much your child takes with each dose.
WHAT IS EEG TEST ZIP
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A video EEG can take from 6 hours to several days, depending on the information that is needed.The video recording is done over a longer period of time than a regular EEG.
What Is A Video EEG?Ī video EEG videotapes your child while the regular EEG is being done. When that is the case, the doctor may want to do another EEG, a longer EEG or a video EEG. That is because the problem causing the seizures may come and go. Sometimes a child who has been having seizures may have a normal EEG. See if a child may have a certain kind of epilepsy.See if a child has a tendency to have seizures or convulsions.Point out something that is not normal in one part of the brain.Tell if a child’s level of alertness or consciousness is normal.An EEG gives doctors a record of that activity by recording it onto a computer or printing it out on a piece of paper.Īn EEG helps doctors understand what is happening inside the brain. These brain waves are the way brain cells talk to one another and get information from the brain to the rest of the body. This test takes from 6 hours to several days, depending on the information that is needed.Īn electroencephalogram ( ee-leck-tro-en-SEFF-a-lo-gram) or EEG uses small button-shaped electrodes on the outside of the scalp to record the brain’s electrical activity or brain waves.This test is usually done at the hospital.During the video EEG, your child will be videotaped while the EEG is done.All testing takes place on the outside of your child’s body and will not hurt.Small button-shaped stickers called electrodes will be placed on your child’s scalp to measure the brain activity.Your child should not drink anything with caffeine in it on the day of the test.The EEG measures the electrical activity in the brain called brain waves.Learn more about the Epilepsy Center and Electroencephalogram (EEG) services Fast Facts About EEG Please read the following information to learn about these tests and how you can help. At UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, we believe parents and guardians can contribute to the success of these tests and invite you to participate.