Seizure occurrence during pediatric short-term EEG

To identify the patients who are more likely to experience a seizure during short-term EEG recording.

We retrospectively reviewed the EEG recordings and medical records of 294 patients, who were admitted to the Pediatric Departments in Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, and referred for a short-term EEG during a 5-years period following a seizure.

Fifteen (5.1%) patients had seizures during short-term EEG. The likelihood of seizure occurrence was increased by history of seizures (odds ratio 11.86, 95% confidence interval 2.54-55.37), abnormal neurological examination (odds ratio 3.33, 95% confidence interval 1.05-10.55), and the presence of interictal epileptiform discharges (odds ratio 10.07, 95% confidence interval 1.26-80.42). Treatment with antiepileptic drugs and mental retardation were significantly more common among patients with seizures.

Children with a higher likelihood of a seizure during short-term EEG can be identified using data mainly obtained by history and neurological examination.