Patterns Specific to Pediatric EEG

Abstract

Misinterpretations of the EEG can result in erroneous diagnosis of epilepsy, causing considerable family anxiety, over protectiveness of children, and delays in normal development and developmental exploration. The burden of a chronic disease can result in expensive and unnecessary medical treatment. The misdiagnosis of epilepsy has been well documented in adults, but misdiagnosis in normal children can have a long-lasting impact on their health. Furthermore, the EEG has a wider range of morphology and hence a greater opportunity for the missed diagnosis of epilepsy. Lack of familiarity of normal sleep patterns and age-related changes from the premature neonate to the young child make children particularly susceptible to misdiagnosis of epilepsy.