Frontal electroencephalogram activity during emergence from general anaesthesia in children with and without emergence delirium

BackgroundEmergence delirium (ED) in children after general anaesthesia causes significant distress patients, their family members, and clinicians; however, electroencephalogram (EEG) markers predicting ED have not been fully investigated.MethodsThis prospective, single-centre observational study enrolled aged 2–10 yr old under sevoflurane anaesthesia. was assessed according to Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) IV or 5 criteria. The relative power low-frequency (delta theta) high-frequency (alpha beta) EEG waves during the emergence period compared between with without ED. linear relationships peak Paediatric Assessment Emergence Delirium (PAED) score were investigated.ResultsAmong 60 22 developed (ED group), whereas other 38 did (non-ED group). delta wave higher (mean [standard deviation], 0.579 [0.083] vs 0.453 [0.090], respectively, P<0.001) group, that alpha beta lower than non-ED group (0.155 [0.063] 0.218 [0.088], P=0.005 0.114 [0.069] 0.186 [0.070], P<0.001, respectively). areas receiver operating characteristic curves wave, low-to-high frequency ratio, delta-to-alpha ratio 0.837 (95% confidence interval, 0.737–0.938), 0.835 (0.735–0.934), 0.768 (0.649–0.887), respectively. two ratios had a positive relationship PAED scores.ConclusionsPaediatric patients developing increased (delta) frontal activity reduced from anaesthesia.Clinical trial registrationNCT03797274.