The electroencephalogram in pediatrics. The indications for use and the limitations.

Electroencephalograms normally undergo pronounced serial changes during maturation of the brain. Many physiological and nonphysiological influences may alter the EEG tracing. As regards EEG's, appraisal of cerebral function is based on comparison with normal standards of frequency, rhythm, wave configuration and amplitude, bilateral synchrony, and response to various physiological stimuli. Various abnormal EEG patterns are fairly constantly related to concomitant clinical disease.A laboratory tool which may be used to supplement clinical data but not to make a clinical diagnosis, the EEG may also sometimes be of value in helping to suggest prognosis and in helping with evaluation of a therapeutic program.