By Dr. Tamara Zach MD — May 05, 2026
Understanding the pediatric EEG: a guide for Arizona families
If your child's doctor recommended an electroencephalogram (an EEG), you probably have questions. What does the test involve? Will it hurt? What are they looking for? Sorting through medical terms while managing your child's anxiety and your own is a lot. At Rose Medical Pavilion in Phoenix, Dr. Tamara Zach MD and her team work with Arizona families every day to make the process clear and comfortable. Here's what you need to know about pediatric EEG testing, from what it is to what happens once the results come in.
what an EEG is and why a child might need one
An EEG is a non-invasive test that measures electrical activity in the brain. Your child's brain constantly generates tiny electrical signals as neurons talk to each other. An EEG records those signals through small, flat metal discs called electrodes placed on the scalp. The readout, a series of wave patterns, shows a neurologist like Dr. Zach how your child's brain is functioning.
Children get referred for an EEG for several reasons:
- Suspected or confirmed pediatric seizures
- Diagnosing or evaluating pediatric epilepsy
- Unexplained staring, spacing out, or loss of awareness
- Sudden behavioral changes or developmental regression
- Sleep disturbances, including sleep apnea or nighttime episodes
- Follow-up monitoring after a neurological event
A referral for an EEG doesn't mean your child has epilepsy or a serious neurological condition. Plenty of children have EEGs that come back completely normal. The test is one of the better tools for looking at brain activity in detail, nothing more.
is an EEG safe and painful for children?
Dr. Tamara Zach MD hears this constantly from Arizona parents, and the answer is reassuring: an EEG is safe, and it doesn't hurt. The electrodes on your child's scalp only record electrical activity. They send nothing into the brain or body. No needles, no radiation, no sedation for a standard EEG.
Some children find the gel or paste used to secure the electrodes mildly uncomfortable, and applying them can feel tedious, especially for younger or more active kids. Most children handle the procedure fine, particularly with a parent or caregiver in the room the whole time.
what to expect during a pediatric EEG in Phoenix
Before the appointment
Preparation changes how smoothly the test goes. Dr. Zach's team will give you specific instructions, but the general guidelines usually look like this:
- Wash your child's hair the night before and skip conditioner, oils, or styling products, which interfere with electrode adhesion.
- Some EEGs require sleep deprivation. A sleep-deprived EEG can catch abnormal brain activity that shows up during drowsiness or light sleep. Keeping a child awake is easier in a cool indoor setting, so plan around Arizona's summer heat.
- Keep your child on all medications unless your neurologist tells you otherwise.
- Bring comfort items for young children. A favorite toy, stuffed animal, or tablet with headphones helps them stay calm and still.
During the test
The technician applies electrodes to specific points on your child's scalp using a water-soluble gel. Once they're in place, your child lies still, sometimes with eyes closed. During the recording, the technician may ask your child to breathe rapidly for a few minutes or expose them to flickering lights. These are standard ways to provoke underlying abnormal activity that might not show up at rest. The whole thing takes 45 to 90 minutes, depending on the type of EEG.
After the EEG
Once the test ends, the gel washes out and your child goes back to normal right away. Dr. Tamara Zach MD reviews the brainwave data and discusses the findings with you, usually within a few days. She'll explain what the patterns mean, whether any follow-up testing is needed, and what the next steps in your child's care look like.
types of EEGs available for children
EEGs aren't all the same. Depending on your child's symptoms and history, Dr. Zach may recommend one of these:
- Routine EEG: a standard 20–40-minute recording, usually the first step.
- Sleep-deprived EEG: done after limiting your child's sleep the night before to improve the odds of catching abnormal activity.
- Ambulatory EEG: your child wears a portable device for 24 to 72 hours at home, which allows monitoring during everyday activities and sleep. This helps with children whose episodes don't happen on schedule in a clinical setting.
- Video EEG: pairs EEG recording with video monitoring to match brainwave patterns with visible behavior during an episode.
EEG results and next steps in Arizona
Reading EEG results takes a board-certified pediatric neurologist. Abnormal activity on your child's EEG doesn't automatically mean a diagnosis. The findings have to be read alongside your child's full clinical picture, history, and symptoms. Dr. Zach explains results in plain language, walking through what the findings mean and what they don't.
Children diagnosed with neurological conditions may qualify for services through the Arizona Early Intervention Program (AzEIP) for those under age three, or through AHCCCS (Arizona's Medicaid program), which covers pediatric neurology evaluations and follow-up care for eligible families. Dr. Zach's office team works with Arizona insurance providers regularly and can help you through the process.
schedule a pediatric EEG consultation at Rose Medical Pavilion
If your child has been referred for an EEG, or you're worried about seizures, unexplained episodes, or neurological symptoms, you don't have to handle it alone. At Rose Medical Pavilion in Phoenix, Dr. Tamara Zach MD provides pediatric neurology care built around the needs of Arizona families. Our team answers your questions, eases your child's anxiety, and makes sure you have the information you need at every step.
Contact Rose Medical Pavilion today to schedule a consultation or EEG evaluation. Your child's brain health deserves clear answers.
Schedule an Appointment
Questions about your child's neurological health? Dr. Tamara Zach MD at Rose Medical Pavilion is here to help. Call (623) 257-ROSE (7673) or schedule online.