Department of Clinical Neurophysiology Electoencephalogram
Melatonin Sleep EEG Information Sheet
What is an EEG (Electoencephalogram)?
An EEG is a safe and painless test that records the electrical signals produced naturally by the brain. The doctor who asked for the test to be performed may have told you the reasons why it is considered necessary as part of your child’s assessment. Preparation for the test involves placing 23 small discs onto the head with sticky paste. The EEG recordings are taken via these discs and the leads attached to them. Test results will not be available from the person performing the investigation; these will be given by your referring doctor.
Important: Please ensure your child wakes no later than 7:30am on the morning of the test and has no further sleep prior to the test.
What is Melatonin?
Melatonin is a hormone produced by the brain’s pineal gland in all of us and its release regulates our sleep-wake cycle. A manmade version, produced by various companies, is used for our patients.
Why is Melatonin used to obtain an EEG?
Your doctor has asked us to arrange an EEG during your child’s natural sleep. Sleep EEGs are often more informative than those performed when a child is awake. Melatonin is used to try and obtain an EEG whilst your child is asleep and can also help if children would not tolerate an EEG whilst awake. It is important that sleep is promoted so noisy toys, phones etc. are discouraged.
A member of the Neurophysiology team will visit you and your child, and will attach the EEG discs to your child’s head, either before or after he/she has fallen asleep. Please feel free to bring a bottle of juice/milk, or favourite toy, as this may help your child to relax. The whole procedure may require a 2 hour stay in the department.
Melatonin is not an anaesthetic or sedative, so on awakening and completion of the test your child will be ready to leave the hospital. If you have any questions about your test please telephone the above department on 01752 430193.
Date issued: September 2017
For review: September 2019
Ref: B-303/AR/Neurophsiology/Melatonin Sleep EEG v2
