EEG and brain death in children

ABSTRACT

In a retrospective study, clinical and neuropthological characteristics of 25 children who met the criteria for brain death and had a [flat] EEG were analyzed. Age of the patients varied from 3 months to 12 years. All patients included in the study were on ventilator and without brain-stem reflexes at the time of death. After documenting electrocerebral silence on EEG, ventilation was stopped and patients were declared [dead]. None of the patient survived. We conclude that a clinically brain dead patient does not need an EEG, and if done and shows electrocerebral silence, patient should be disconnected from the ventilator