A 6-year-old child is evaluated after seizures. Which test is most relevant for screening?

A 6-year-old child is evaluated after seizures. Which test is most relevant for screening?

• A. Determination of the levels of anticonvulsant drugs
• B. Electroencephalography
• C. Denver II screening test
• D. Electromyography

Answer: (B)

The electroencephalogram is the test to use first when screening a child after seizures. It records brain electrical activity and can show patterns typical of epilepsy, such as interictal epileptiform discharges or abnormalities that appear during sleep. This helps confirm whether events are epileptic, helps classify seizure type (for example, generalized versus focal), and guides treatment decisions like starting or adjusting antiepileptic therapy. It also provides a baseline for prognosis and follow-up. Keep in mind EEG isn’t perfect—many kids have a normal EEG between spells, so sometimes sleep-deprivation EEG or prolonged video-EEG monitoring is needed to capture activity. The other options serve different purposes: drug level checks monitor medication exposure, developmental screening evaluates milestones, and electromyography assesses muscles/nerve function rather than brain activity.

The electroencephalogram is the test to use first when screening a child after seizures. It records brain electrical activity and can show patterns typical of epilepsy, such as interictal epileptiform discharges or abnormalities that appear during sleep. This helps confirm whether events are epileptic, helps classify seizure type (for example, generalized versus focal), and guides treatment decisions like starting or adjusting antiepileptic therapy. It also provides a baseline for prognosis and follow-up.

Keep in mind EEG isn’t perfect—many kids have a normal EEG between spells, so sometimes sleep-deprivation EEG or prolonged video-EEG monitoring is needed to capture activity. The other options serve different purposes: drug level checks monitor medication exposure, developmental screening evaluates milestones, and electromyography assesses muscles/nerve function rather than brain activity.