Use of neurological electrophysiology in children

Verified by: Dr. Shekhar Patil, Consultant, Adult & Pediatric Neurology, Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai

Electrophysiology is a branch of physiology that deals with the electrical properties of biological cells and tissues. In medicine, electrophysiology refers to the use of various techniques to measure the electrical activity of the body’s cells, particularly those in the heart, brain, and nervous system. Electrophysiology has a wide range of neurological applications in children, including:

1. Diagnosis of neurological conditions: Electrophysiology can also be used to diagnose neurological conditions in children, such as epilepsy. Some of the important neurological electrophysiological tests used in children include:

• Electroencephalography (EEG): An EEG is a common electrophysiological technique used to measure the electrical activity of the brain. It helps clinicians to categorize / classify the epilepsy into various syndromes for better management and prognosis. It also helps the clinician to monitor the effect of medication in patients. Activation procedures, such as hyperventilation and photic stimulation may trigger clinical or electrical abnormalities that further aid the diagnosis.
• Visual Evoked Potential (VEP): It is a test that records the electrical signals generated in the child’s brain when they are exposed to a flashlight. It essentially measures the optic nerve pathway function and confirms the passage of electrical impulse from the eye to the brain. Disruption of the signal or delayed transmission of signals can identify optic nerve diseases such as demyelination. This test requires a degree of cooperation, hence in a young child, toddler or infant the test is conducted by using flash goggles, while in case of a cooperative child a pattern test using the laptop screen showing a black and white checkerboard is used.
• Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry (BERA) test: This involves recording the response of the child’s brainstem when a sound is generated through earphones placed on the ear. It helps verify the auditory function and sensitivity in the child.
• Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV) tests: A NCV measures the characteristics of an electrical signal passing through a nerve.
• Electromyography (EMG): An EMG test is a measure of the electrical activity inside the child’s muscle. Together with the NCV the test helps the doctor diagnose neuromuscular disorders and diseases in children.

1. Monitoring during surgery: Electrophysiology can be used to monitor a child’s brain and nerve function during surgery. Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring (IONM) involves measuring the electrical activity of the brain and nerves during surgery to ensure that surgical procedure does not induce an iatrogenic injury to the nerves or brain.
2. Research: Electrophysiology is also used in research to study the development of the nervous system in children and the underlying mechanisms of various neurological conditions.

Overall, electrophysiology plays a crucial role in the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of various conditions in children.  In the field of neurology, electrophysiology helps us understand how the child’s brain and related structures responds to stimulations from the external world like sight, smell, sensations, muscle activity, etc. Other applications like IONM are useful during surgery and treatment respectively.

Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai has been conducting all the above-mentioned tests to enhance the quality of care in managing children with neurological disorders. Visit us for a detailed overview on these tests and procedures.

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Apollo Epilepsy Screening Clinic-Your partner in epilepsy care

We at Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai have a comprehensive treatment approach towards individuals with epilepsy. The management of epilepsy is all about early diagnosis and being persistent on taking treatment. Our experts believe that epilepsy is not just about controlling fits. It is a team approach involving the following.

• Clinical consultation by an experienced neurologist
• Neuropsychology & counselling session by a trained psychologist
• Diet consultation involving specific ketogenic diet for epilepsy
• Special education by special educators
• Rehabilitation by physiotherapists

Call 022 6280 6280 or visit https://www.apollohospitals.com/mumbai/contact-us/ to book an appointment with our experts.