To study the parameters of the bispectral index and middle latency auditory-evoked potentials in critically ill children. We performed a prospective, observational study in 81 critically ill children categorized into two levels of sedation (moderate and deep) and three age groups (<1, 1-6, and >6 months). The parameters of the bispectral index and middle latency auditory-evoked potentials studied were the signal quality index, suppression ratio, total power, spectral edge frequency, electromyographic activity, and suppression ratio. Suppression rates were higher in children younger than 1 month than in older children and were also higher in deep sedation. Total power and spectral edge frequency increased with age. Electromyographic activity was higher in moderate sedation. Spectral edge frequency and suppression rates change with age and level of sedation. These variations are a consequence of the electroencephalographic structure at young ages and are secondary to the higher proportion of slow waves in deep states of sedation.