Point-of-care EEG in the Pediatric Emergency Department

University of Zurich (UZH)

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Status Epilepticus; Non-Convulsive Status Epilepticus; Altered Mental Status

Treatments: Other: point of care EEG

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05418634

2022-00842

Details and patient eligibility

About

The researchers investigate the use of a simplified electroencephalogram (point-of-care EEG) in the pediatric emergency department for children with impaired consciousness or an ongoing epileptic seizure ("status epilepticus"). In addition, the researchers will compare the simplified EEG with the conventional EEG in the epilepsy outpatient clinic.

Full description

Non-traumatic, acute central nervous system (CNS) disorders are amongst the most frequent emergencies in childhood. In Switzerland, CNS disorders are the top ranking presentation of critically ill children. Many pediatric neurological emergencies such as coma, acute encephalopathies with impaired consciousness or agitation, or acute focal deficits, are associated with changes of cortical electrical activity detectable by the electroencephalogram (EEG). Of particular concern are status epilepticus (SE) and non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE). Previous studies have shown that an EEG can yield important diagnostic information and aid in decision-making. However, conventional EEG-recordings are resource intensive (time, staff), and hardly available outside of regular working hours. Point-of-care EEG (pocEEG) has proven helpful for evaluating impaired consciousness, detecting NCSE, and monitoring therapy in ongoing SE. In a retrospective cohort study from Japan patients with impaired consciousness were diagnosed with non-convulsive seizures in pocEEG, supporting the view that pocEEG can be applied by ED physicians, even in the absence of a neurologist, and can aid the detection and treatment of non-convulsive seizures. Another study, also from Japan, reported that abnormalities were detected in 20% of patients by using pocEEG in an ED setting. The aims of this study are:

• To prospectively assess the feasibility and utility of pocEEG for NCSE detection in children presenting with impaired consciousness in the PED
• To evaluate the interpretation accuracy of pocEEG by pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) providers after a teaching module.
• To compare pocEEG to the "gold standard" of simultaneously recorded conventional EEG in patients undergoing routine cEEG in the epilepsy outpatient clinics.

Enrollment: 200 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: Under 18 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

General:

PED:

• Pediatric patients with unexplained impaired consciousness, suspicion of NCSE, active SE presenting to the PED
• Informed consent of patient of parents/persons responsible, if possible, otherwise emergency situation procedure (according to national regulations for research in emergency situations)

CLINIC:

• Informed consent as documented by signature
• Pediatric patients undergoing cEEG in the outpatient epilepsy clinics
• Either suspected/ to rule out epilepsy or established diagnosis of epilepsy

Exclusion criteria

PED:

• AMS of known etiology or another diagnosis
• Declined informed consent

CLINIC:

• Failure to provide signed informed consent
• Changes in health condition which might interfere with the EEG recording.

Trial design

200 participants in 2 patient groups

Pediatric Emergency Department (PED)

Description:

PED: Patients presenting with unexplained impaired consciousness or active SE: To investigate the role of pocEEG in the PED, we will collect all pocEEG tracings of all children with unexplained impaired consciousness or active SE, for whom written consent has been obtained. We will document the interpretation of the respective pocEEGs by the PEM physician and compare it to the interpretation of the neuropediatrician on call. The research team will also perform a post-hoc analysis.

Treatment:

Other: point of care EEG

Epilepsy Clinic

Description:

CLINIC: Patients with either suspected epilepsy or established diagnosis of epilepsy will be recruited for simultaneous recording of cEEG and pocEEG in the epilepsy outpatient clinic will help define and investigate the limitations of pocEEG.

Treatment:

Other: point of care EEG