Electroencephalographic-video monitoring in neonates, infants, and children.

Electroencephalographic (EEG)-video monitoring is a valuable tool in the evaluation and management of neonates, infants, and children suspected of having seizures or those with confirmed epilepsy. Monitoring may provide the basis for detection, characterization, and quantification of seizures in each of these age groups. The basic functional components of monitoring include: EEG, polygraphic measures, video, and synchronization devices that assure that all recorded modalities can be precisely correlated in time. Monitoring techniques may vary depending on patient age, clinical condition, and clinical questions to be addressed. Specially designed instrumentation is required to perform monitoring; however, the role of the technologist is central in conducting a study with maximum clinical yield in the most efficient manner. The clinical neurophysiologist must recognize the specific objectives of each monitoring study and appreciate the age-dependent features of the EEG and the types of clinical paroxysmal events that may occur at different ages. Neonates, infants, and older children all demonstrate special features to be considered in the conduct and analysis of EEG-video monitoring.