Sedation of children for electroencephalograms

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Neurology
• Clinical Anesthesiology
• Neurophysiology

Background:

• Electroencephalograms (EEG) in children sometimes require sedation for successful completion.
• A notable decrease in sedation use within an EEG laboratory prompted a review of sedation practices and outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the incidence of adverse effects associated with pediatric conscious sedation during EEG procedures.
• To identify factors contributing to the observed decline in the requirement for sedation.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of 513 sedation attempts in children undergoing EEG over a 4-year period.
• Analysis included sedative agents used, dosage, EEG completion rates, and sedation-related complications.
• Patient risk factors for airway compromise were also evaluated.

Main Results:

• Sedation was administered in 18% of 2855 EEGs; 91% were completed successfully.
• Chloral hydrate was the most common sedative; 3 children experienced transient oxygen desaturation, all with pre-existing risk factors.
• The proportion of EEGs requiring sedation decreased from 32% to 2% over the study period.

Conclusions:

• Pediatric EEG sedation is a safe and effective procedure with a low complication rate.
• Adequate patient preparation and a child-friendly environment are key to minimizing the need for sedation.