What is electromyography and nerve conduction velocity?

Also known as: EMG, electromyography, nerve conduction study, NCS, electromyogram, EMG.

An electromyogram (EMG) measures muscle activity at rest and with movement from small needles placed in the muscle.

A nerve conduction study (NCS) uses discs on the skin to record how fast (nerve conduction velocity) a small electrical current will travel through your child’s nerves.

Both studies help your pediatric neurologist diagnose the cause of many nerve and muscular disorders. Generally most children tolerate both procedures without difficulty.

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Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM