Redyan, Faisal (2025) Evaluation of the Role of Electroencephalography in Monitoring Children with Traumatic Brain Injury in the Intensive Care Unit. thesis, Medicine.
Full text available on request.Abstract
Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in children. Early post-traumatic seizures, often subclinical, contribute to secondary injury and frequently go undetected without EEG. Although EEG aids in seizure detection, cortical assessment, and prognostication, it is not routinely used, and current guidelines lack specific recommendations. Objectives: This study evaluated the clinical value of EEG in pediatric TBI, focusing on diagnostic accuracy and prognostic relevance, to inform future care and guideline development. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted including 106 children with TBI admitted to the PICU or adult ICU at the University Medical Center Groningen between February 2019 and January 2025. Clinical, imaging, EEG, and outcome data were extracted. Diagnostic accuracy was assessed (sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV). Univariate analysis explored associations with EEG use and outcomes. Results EEG was used in 14 patients (13.2%), including 6 with continuous monitoring. One seizure was detected (sensitivity 14.3%, specificity and PPV 100%, NPV 53.8%). Abnormal background activity appeared in 78.6%. EEG use was associated with severe TBI, seizures, and prolonged ICU/hospital stay (all p ≤ 0.008). No significant association with GOSE score was found. Severe clinical and radiologic features predicted poor outcome. AED prophylaxis did not reduce seizure incidence. Conclusion: EEG was infrequently used and applied in high-risk patients. The low seizure detection rate likely reflects delayed initiation, short duration, and masking by sedation or AEDs. Findings support early, standardized EEG protocols to optimize detection, guide treatment, and improve outcomes.
| Item Type: | Thesis (UNSPECIFIED) |
|---|---|
| Supervisor name: | Helfferich, Dr. Jelte and Mulder, Drs. Hilde |
| Faculty: | Medical Sciences |
| Date Deposited: | 28 Apr 2026 13:58 |
| Last Modified: | 28 Apr 2026 13:58 |
| URI: | https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/3935 |
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