Paediatric EEG provision in New Zealand: a survey of practice.

Aim: Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder in children. Electroencephalography (EEG) is integral to the diagnosis of an electroclinical epilepsy syndrome. Here we aim to describe provision of paediatric EEGs in New Zealand.

Method: All neurophysiology departments in New Zealand performing paediatric EEGs were invited to participate. Personal interviews were conducted to ascertain the number and type of EEGs performed in children and the paediatric protocols used in each department.

Results: 12 of the 13 eligible neurophysiology departments participated. These departments performed between 2-950 paediatric EEGs each year. Waiting times were variable: urgent (8 hours-14 days); semi urgent (1 day-8 weeks); routine (1 week-4 months); with two centres unable to perform urgent or semi urgent EEGs. Seven departments routinely sleep deprived children. The percentage of all outpatient paediatric EEGs that were sleep deprived ranged from 1-100%. Children's EEGs were reported by either paediatric (five departments) or adult neurologists (seven departments).

Conclusions: There is marked variability between neurophysiology departments in the provision of EEGs for New Zealand children. As EEGs are important for epilepsy diagnosis, increased resources are required to ensure New Zealand children have equitable access to timely quality paediatric EEGs.