Electroencephalography for children

The Department

A critical tool for the diagnosis of epilepsy is the electroencephalogram.

It is equipped with a new generation digital EEG machine and video. EEGs are performed by a qualified PhD technician and interpreted by certified paediatric neurologists. High quality electroencephalogram apply to various recording requirements:

• Single-awake EEG with hyperventilation and cortex stimulation
• EEG with deprivation or induced with chloral hydrate per mount or melatonin
• EEG with brain mapping
• 24-hour EEG study in children with admission to MHTERA paediatric clinicLong-term EEG monitoring in the paediatric ICUs
• EEG with videos-split screen
• Neonatal EEG in the babies ICU

For children with drug-resistant epilepsy, we work together with the paediatric neurosurgery unit and offer a pre-surgical evaluation. If the child is a candidate for epilepsy surgery, he/she is referred to neurosurgery. In collaboration with the University Paediatric Hospital “Aglaia Kyriakou” we refer children with resistant epilepsy for ketogenic diet.

For the diagnostic evaluation of epilepsies (and other neurodevelopmental problems) we refer patients to our paediatric neuroradiology unit, with advanced technology, MRI, CT, ultrasound equipment for brain, spinal MRI etc.

Cerebral Palsy Clinic
In this highly specialised clinic, we evaluate children with various forms of cerebral palsy (spastic hemiplegia, diplegia, quadriplegia, dyskinetic cerebral palsy, choreoathetosis etc.). We provide a comprehensive assessment, including a paediatric orthopaedic examination for hips and spine etc.

Spasticity Management in children with cerebral palsy
In order to reduce increased massive tone (spasticity) in selected muscles of upper and low extremities, we perform (with an over 10 years-experience) injections of Botulinum Toxin A (BOTOX DYSPORT). A short admission in the MHTERA paediatric clinic is arranged and the botulinum toxin A injections can be performed at the bedside, using Emla cream on the skin and midazolam per os for a mild sedation. If a mild multilevel injection plan is needed, this procedure can be performed with appointment in the operation room, in the presence of a paediatric anaesthesiologist. After the injections, cast placement by orthopaedic can be arranged in order to prolong and enhance the positive effect of the injection.

Neonatal Neurology, Babies at risk Follow-up clinic Foetal Consulting

Follow-up clinic
Provides early and long-term neurodevelopmental follow-up for babies who are discharged by the neonatal unit. We work together with neuroradiology for head ultrasound evaluations. If a genetic work-up is necessary, we refer to A-LAB.

High risk babies for potential neurodevelopmental problems can be followed-up until school age, if necessary.

These groups are:

• Premature babies born before 32 weeks of gestation
• Premature babies with a birth weight lower than 1,500 gr.
• Babies with long stay in the ICU
• Small at gestation babies (IUGR)

We put emphasis on early detection of potential motor, mental and behaviour problems and early intervention in the first years of life. We refer to physio-, occupational and speech therapy when necessary.

Foetal Consulting
At the request of our colleagues-obstetricians and maternal foetal medicine specialists paediatricians, we consult on foetus with suspicion of abnormal brain/spinal development identified by foetal ultrasound. Using advanced fetal brain MRI imaging in collaboration with neuroradiology, we can inform parents for the integrity of their future babies central nervous system.