Frequency analysis of the EEG in children with sickle cell disease.

An automated technique for EEG frequency analysis was employed in the study of nine children with sickle cell disease. Quotients, Q(1) (delta+theta/alpha+beta) and Q(2) (theta/alpha+8), were calculated from the computed power in each frequency range. Recordings from occipital-parietal and temporal-frontal areas resulted in a higher Q(1) for sickle cell disease patients than for reported normals (p<.002 and p<.05 respectively). Q(2) value from the occipital-parietal sites were also higher for the sickle cell group (p<.05).The technique reported here lends itself to serial studies in appropriate patient groups and suggests the possibility of an organic basis for some of the results found.