When children have surgery, anaesthetists carefully monitor the depth of anaesthesia by using sensors on the forehead that measure brain activity, also known as processed electroencephalogram (pEEG). These monitors are routinely used in paediatric anaesthesia; however, investigators do not know if they work accurately in babies and young children with seizure disorders or on anti-seizure medications.
Children with developmental and epileptic encephalopathies may need anaesthesia for tests or procedures. It is important that their treating doctors understand whether these monitors truly reflect how awake or asleep the children are. This study aims to compare a child's electrical brain activity using two commonly used devices in paediatric anaesthesia with the conventional 21-lead EEG patterns in children with seizure disorders. The results of this research may help improve the safety and perioperative care of children with seizure disorders who require general anaesthesia in the future.
Children (<16 years old) with a confirmed diagnosis of early onset EE or DEE due to any cause (prior to age 2 years).
Language barriers impeding data collection
Department for Child Protection and Family Support is involved in the care of the child.
Telethon Kids Institute
Lead sponsor
Child and Adolescent Health Service - Perth
Collaborator
Feculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo - Brasil
Collaborator
Hospital das Clínicas de São Paulo - SP
Collaborator