Abstracts

Rationale: EEG is a standard diagnostic test for patients with epilepsy. The optimal duration for EEG recording varies between practitioners, and there is no consensus on the optimal duration for recording in pediatric age group. We retrospectively evaluated duration of EEG recordings in our pediatric epilepsy unit to optimize the duration of the recording to maximize the diagnostic yield.

Methods: This is a retrospective review of 199 patients admitted to pediatric EMU. Variables evaluated included; type and duration of epilepsy, etiology, and duration of EEG study. Results of first routine EEG were compared to prolonged recording in EMU.

Results: There were 104 males, and 95 females under age 18 years. Focal-onset seizures found in 88 (44%) patients, followed by generalized-onset seizures (46 patients – 23%). Routine EEG (< 30 min) was diagnostic in 51%, while prolonged EEG was diagnostic in 78.9% of the patients. The mean duration of EMU recording for non-diagnostic study was 32.4 hours, while for diagnostic recording was 43.23 hours, that was statistically significant (t=-2.49, P=0.014). The likelihood of a diagnostic study increased with longer duration of monitoring (73.3% (4-35 hours), 83.3% (36-52 hours), and 89.3% ( > 52 hours)). EEG recording of >52 hours was diagnostic in 94.73% of focal epilepsy, and 100% of generalized epilepsy.

Conclusions: Length of EMU stay correlated positively with chances of obtaining a diagnostic test, especially for generalized-onset epilepsy. 36-52 hours EEG recording is likely to be diagnostic in 93.75% of focal epilepsy, longer duration of recording provides a higher yield for generalized epilepsy.

Funding: Please list any funding that was received in support of this abstract.: None.