In Clinical Neurophysiology, our team of specialists from Lurie Children's Division of Neurology analyzes and monitors the nervous system function to promote effective treatment of neurological diseases and conditions for our pediatric patients. Our specialists, including pediatric neurology physicians and neurodiagnostic technologists, record electrical activity arising from the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves using a variety of techniques and instruments.
The night before the EEG, wash your child’s hair with shampoo. Do not apply conditioner or other hair products and please remove any braids or hair extensions. The technologist must be able to apply the electrodes directly on your child’s scalp.
We do not sedate children for this test because sedative drugs affect the brain activity. We recommend sleep deprivation to facilitate sleep and to increase the likelihood of seeing EEG abnormalities relevant to seizure disorders. The night before the test, please ensure your child only sleeps for 4 hours or less. For example, the child can sleep only from midnight until 4 a.m. After that time, the child must be kept awake. This is extremely important in order to guarantee an optimal EEG recording. The lack of sleep puts stress on the individual’s nervous system, allowing the abnormalities to be recorded.
The night before the Evoked Potential, wash your child’s hair with shampoo. Do not apply conditioner or other hair products and please remove any braids or hair extensions. The technologist must be able to apply the electrodes directly on your child’s scalp. Do not apply creams or lotions on your child’s arms or legs.
A neurodiagnostic technologist will call with specific instructions based on your child’s age and type of Evoked Potential being performed.
For an EMG/NCS exam the child must wear long sleeve shirts, long pants and socks to keep limbs warm prior to testing.
To schedule an EEG/EMG/NCS, your child needs a referral or an order by a primary care doctor or referring Physician/Advanced Practice Nurse/Physician Assistant. Please fax all testing orders to 312.227.9798.
The Clinical Neurophysiology Laboratory is located on the third floor of Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago (next to the Walgreen’s pharmacy). Lab hours are Monday– Friday, 7 a.m.–3:30 p.m. To contact us, please call 312.227.3010.
EEG recordings are also available at the following satellite locations:
Clinical Neurophysiology Laboratory
Cynthia Stack, MD
Clinical Neurophysiology Medical Director
Neuromuscular Physicians
Nancy Kuntz, MD
Mazza Foundation Neuromuscular Program, Medical Director
Vamshi Rao, MD
Attending Physician Neuromuscular Program
Administrative Team
Lydia Laboy
Administrative Assistant/POS Lead
Shaya Walsh
Administrative Assistant/POS
Nursing Team
Darlene Leung, MSN, CPN, RN
Clinical Neurophysiology Nurse
Carolyn Mergos, MSN, RN
Manager Patient Care Operations
Eileen Romano, RN, MBA
Director of Nursing
Neurodiagnostic Technologists
Margo Gadsden, R. EEG T.
Neurodiagnostic Technologist
Chris Maskos, BS
Neurodiagnostic Technologist
Elizabeth Rocha, BS
Neurodiagnostic Technologist
Elena Sora, R. EEG T.
Neurodiagnostic Technologist
Erik Padilla, R. EEG/EP T., CNIM, CLTM, MBA
Director of Neurodiagnostics
The Clinical Neurophysiology Department has earned ABRET LAB EEG Accreditation by meeting technical standards and demonstrating quality neuro-diagnostic tests. Evaluation focuses on the technical component of the recordings and diagnostic policies and procedures.
