Point-of-care EEG in the Pediatric Emergency Department

NCT05418634 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 2022-00842
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 200
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

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

Keywords

pediatric emergency medicine; pediatric neurology; status epliepticus; non-convulsive status epilepticus; altered mental status

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Number of participants diagnosed with SE, NCSE, and encephalitis by pocEEG

  All patients with impaired consciousness presenting to the PED will receive a pocEEG. We analyse the number of patients with SE, NCSE, and encephalitis diagnosed by pocEEG

  Baseline

• Agreement pocEEG vs. conventional EEG in epilepsy clinic

  Agreement of pocEEG and cEEG findings in simultaneous tracings carried out during routine care in the epilepsy clinic.

  Baseline

Study Arms (2)

Pediatric Emergency Department (PED)

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.

Other: point of care EEG

Epilepsy Clinic

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.

Other: point of care EEG

Interventions

point of care EEG OTHER

For pocEEG, scalp electrodes are applied in five locations.

Epilepsy Clinic; Pediatric Emergency Department (PED)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: Up to 18 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

All pediatric patients presenting to the PED or the epilepsy clinic fulfilling the inclusion criteria.

You may qualify if:

• 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

You may not qualify if:

• 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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University Children's Hospital, Zurich: lead
• Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital Bern: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University Children's Hospital Zurich

Zurich, 8032, Switzerland

Location

Related Publications (4)

• Simma L, Romano F, Schmidt S, Ramantani G, Bolsterli BK. Integrating Neuromonitoring in Pediatric Emergency Medicine: Exploring Two Options for Point-of-Care Electroencephalogram (pocEEG) via Patient Monitors-A Technical Note. J Pers Med. 2023 Sep 20;13(9):1411. doi: 10.3390/jpm13091411.

  PMID: 37763178 BACKGROUND

• Simma L, Bauder F, Schmitt-Mechelke T. Feasibility and usefulness of rapid 2-channel-EEG-monitoring (point-of-care EEG) for acute CNS disorders in the paediatric emergency department: an observational study. Emerg Med J. 2021 Dec;38(12):919-922. doi: 10.1136/emermed-2020-209891. Epub 2020 Oct 30.

  PMID: 33127740 BACKGROUND

• Nozawa M, Terashima H, Tsuji S, Kubota M. A Simplified Electroencephalogram Monitoring System in the Emergency Room. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2019 Jul;35(7):487-492. doi: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000001033.

  PMID: 28072672 BACKGROUND

• Yamaguchi H, Nagase H, Nishiyama M, Tokumoto S, Ishida Y, Tomioka K, Tanaka T, Fujita K, Toyoshima D, Nishimura N, Kurosawa H, Nozu K, Maruyama A, Tanaka R, Iijima K. Nonconvulsive Seizure Detection by Reduced-Lead Electroencephalography in Children with Altered Mental Status in the Emergency Department. J Pediatr. 2019 Apr;207:213-219.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2018.11.019. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

  PMID: 30528574 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Status Epilepticus

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Seizures; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Georgia Ramantani, MD, PhD

  University Children's Hospital, Zurich

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: PEM Attending

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 9, 2022
• First Posted: June 14, 2022
• Study Start: August 24, 2022
• Primary Completion: August 23, 2025
• Study Completion: August 24, 2025
• Last Updated: September 4, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CH (1)