Your child’s care team will make sure your child is as comfortable as possible during this test. After the doctor reviews the information, he or she will talk to you about the results and any next steps.The doctor then sees how the nerve responds on a computer screen. The muscles might twitch a little at some points. It doesn’t hurt, but may feel like static electricity. Your child’s clinician will use a small machine to stimulate the nerve with the electrode.The electrodes look like little buttons, but have sensors that communicate important information about how the nerves respond to stimulus. Your child’s clinician will stick painless flat electrodes on top of the skin over the areas that might be causing symptoms.They are available to help your child prepare for these tests and stay calm throughout the tests. Your child may feel static and may twitch at certain points.Ĭhild Life specialists at Rush University Children’s Hospital specialize in helping children cope with health challenges and medical testing. Diseases in nerves and nerve roots, which can be caused by either nerve damage or ongoing nerve injury.Diseases of the neuromuscular junction, which is the connection between a nerve fiber and the muscle it supplies.Diseases of the muscle itself (most commonly, muscular dystrophy in children).EMGs help diagnose three kinds of diseases that interfere with normal muscle contraction: At that point, a nerve conduction study and EMG can help.Ī pediatric neurologist will be able to determine if your child’s symptoms are due to a nerve injury or a neuromuscular disorder. Your child’s pediatrician can identify some neuromuscular problems through a physical exam or blood test, but more complex problems may be harder to diagnose. What are a nerve conduction study and electromyography for children?Ī nerve conduction study and EMG will help your child’s doctors evaluate whether your child’s muscles and nerves are working properly by measuring how they respond to electrical stimulation.

Does nerve testing hurt