Electroencephalographic investigations of traumatic apallic syndrome in childhood and adolescence.

Reports of electroencephalographic changes in cases of the traumatic apallic syndrome in children and adolescents are very rare. We tried to correlate special electroencephalographic patterns with the three different stages that are usually seen. We found high voltage subdelta and delta activity in the initial symptom complex, an EEG with dominating delta-theta activity and voltage of medium height corresponding to the fully developed stage, and a flat theta EEG in the stage of remission. The difficulties in interpretation of the changes, especially in children, are discussed. Longitudinal electroencephalographic studies are recommended for diagnosing complications, such as haematomas or palsies, and for prognosis.