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Chapter 3: Pediatric Clinical Neurophysiology

DOI:

10.1891/9780826169358.0003

Authors

  • Galloway, Gloria
  • Yamada, Thoru

Abstract

Artifacts in the pediatric population are often similar in many ways to those encountered in adults. However, some artifacts are more commonly seen in the pediatric population. Reasons for this are: the short distance used between stimulation and recording electrodes in the very young patient with a small body size, presence of startle reflexes, and need for multiple unique types of monitoring devices. The key to interpretation is first to recognize that the data being evaluated have artifact present. Subsequent efforts involve determining the likely cause in order to eliminate or reduce the source of artifact. Awareness of the surrounding environment and observation of the patient should be the first step in the search for reducing artifact in pediatric clinical neurophysiological procedures. This chapter attempts to describe a number of age-specific artifacts that can cause significant difficulties in interpretation of clinical neurophysiologic studies involving both electromyogram recordings and intraoperative monitoring.