Paediatric home video-telemetry (HVT)

Introduction

This leaflet is designed to give you some information about the investigation for which your child has been referred. We hope it reassures you. We have a team experienced in these investigations and you will have the chance to discuss further questions or concerns before the start of the investigation.

Consent

We need your consent for any procedure or treatment performed on your child. Staff will explain all the risks and benefits before they ask for your consent. If you are unsure about any aspect of the procedure or treatment proposed, please do not hesitate to ask for more information.

What is an electroencephalogram (EEG)?

The brain works by electrical signals that can be recorded as waveforms (brainwaves) by small discs (called electrodes) positioned on the scalp. These brainwaves are sent to a computer and the resulting EEG is read by a healthcare scientist and doctor. EEG can help your child’s medical team get information about brain activity during events currently being experienced or the state of the brain in general.

What is a home video-telemetry (HVT)?

Home video-telemetry records EEG with video over a long period of time, usually between 24 and 72 hours and takes place at home whilst your child carries on with everyday tasks. The equipment includes a small video-camera to record any events that your child may experience during the recording.

Why is my child having HVT?

There are many reasons for having home video-telemetry. Your child may be having events that can be recorded on video and EEG to help the medical team looking after them find out what is causing the events or work out how many are occurring. Sometimes the recording is useful to find out about brain activity in sleep.

What do I need to do before my child has the equipment applied?

• The week before the investigation you will have a telephone or virtual appointment with our team to discuss the test and to allow us to take more details about your child. It will be helpful if you could tell us about any current events as well as have a list of any medication. Please continue to give your child any prescribed medication.
• Please let us know if you have any skin sensitivities or allergies during this appointment, especially any latex allergies.
• When attending the face to face appointment the following week it is important that the hair is clean using shampoo and conditioner, making sure to avoid all additional hair products.
• It is also helpful for your child to wear loose fitting clothing (ideally something with buttons up the front) to avoid anything being pulled over the head whilst changing at home.

Where is the equipment applied?

Neurophysiology have two departments. One of these can be found on level 3 of the Main Outpatients building and the other is located in Clinic 33 of the Addenbrooke’s Treatment Centre. Please check your letter carefully for details on where your appointment will be and use the maps provided in this leaflet to guide you. Additional information on getting to Addenbrooke’s and different modes of transport can be found at Finding-us. Please note, if you arrive more than 30 minutes late for your appointment, you may not be seen.

We recommend you do not travel home via public transport. If this is unavoidable or you have any other queries, please contact us on 01223 217136 to discuss.

Who will be present?

There will be a healthcare scientist present setting up the recording. Addenbrooke’s is a teaching hospital and you may be asked if you would consent to trainee staff performing the test under supervision or if you would mind other healthcare professionals/students observing the test. Refusing consent for this will not affect your child’s test.

We have no provision for accompanying additional children to be looked after whilst your child is having their EEG.

What happens during the equipment application?

A healthcare scientist will measure your child’s head using a soft pencil, like a crayon, and a tape measure. They will then use a cotton bud and gritty paste, like an exfoliator, to clean small areas of the scalp, which is not painful, but does involve some rubbing. Small silver discs with wires on will then be attached to the scalp using a special sticky paste, a bit like Vaseline®, which will then be secured using small stickers. Everything will then be further secured using netting and bandages. There will also be some discs applied to the shoulders and the upper parts of both arms in the same way to record heart rate and any movements. All the wires will be tied together and connected to a small box that records all the data, which will be carried around in a small bag.

What happens after the equipment is applied?

During the appointment we will show you how to set up the camera and use the equipment at home. We will also give you a leaflet with this information and a diary sheet to fill in during the recording. There is a button on the equipment to press if your child has an event and a microphone records sound so you can explain what is going on. Everything will be explained in more detail when you attend the appointment and contact details will be made available for any questions you might have whilst at home.

How do I remove the equipment?

We will show you how to remove the wires at the end of the recording and a courier will be arranged by us to come and collect the equipment. We will arrange an appropriate time for this with you.

Are there any risks?

The recording itself is painless. Occasionally there can be slight redness or skin irritation where the electrodes have been attached, this usually gets better by itself.

Are there things to avoid during the recording?

The recording equipment must not get wet, so your child cannot shower or have a swim. The electrodes on the scalp also mean you cannot brush your child’s hair, or apply hair products, during the recording, and you cannot wash the hair. Please avoid chewing gum, as it affects the recording—but your child can eat normal meals.

Your child will not be able to attend school during the recording as we will be recording video and will not have consent to record other children or adults in the classroom. If you would like to discuss this with us, please call us on the number provided below.

We advise that, if possible, your child stays in one or two rooms of the house during the recording to ensure any events are not missed on the video. The camera has a night mode which will help to record events during sleep.

When do I get the results?

The results will not be available on the day of the recording. The healthcare scientist and doctor will review the data recorded and prepare a detailed report for the consultantyou’re your child normally sees. The consultant will discuss the results with you at the next appointment.

Contacts/further information

If you need any further information or have any other queries please contact the neurophysiology administrator by phone on 01223 217136 Monday to Friday 08:30-17:00 or by email the neurophysiology team.

CUH Directions App

For both apple and android phones. Find in your app store: CUH Directions | CUH

If your appointment is in Clinic 33 of the Addenbrooke’s Treatment Centre

We are on level 3 in the Addenbrooke’s Treatment Centre (ATC). We are at the end of the corridor, just before the double doors to Papworth Hospital. You will find us next to the Endoscopy department.

If your appointment is in Neurophysiology in the Main Outpatients building

We are on level 3 in the Outpatients building area. You will find us in-between ward A3 and the Ultrasound department.

My Chart

We would encourage you to sign up for My Chart. This is the electronic patient portal at Cambridge University Hospitals that enables patients to securely access parts of their health record held within the hospital’s electronic patient record system (Epic). It is available via your home computer or mobile device.