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Child with Syncope

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Symptom-Based Approach to Pediatric Neurology

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Abstract

Syncope is defined as the abrupt loss of consciousness followed by spontaneous and complete recovery. It is a common pediatric problem that mostly affects adolescent girls. This chapter will review the mechanism, most common etiologies of pediatric syncope and provide tools on how to differentiate benign causes from life-threatening cardiac causes of syncope. A detailed history and physical examination is the cornerstone for the evaluation of syncope. Clinical evaluation along with an electrocardiogram will enable a practitioner exclude majority of the cardiac causes of syncope in children. Although the management of syncope is directed toward the etiology, most causes of pediatric syncope are benign and treatment should focus on reassurance and counseling. Lastly, we aim to provide a list of red flags that should trigger a prompt referral to a pediatric cardiologist or neurologist.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Central Michigan University College of Medicine, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA

    Diana M. Torpoco Rivera, Marjorie Gayanilo & Sehgal Swati

Authors
  1. Diana M. Torpoco Rivera
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  2. Marjorie Gayanilo
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  3. Sehgal Swati
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA

    Deepak M. Kamat

  2. Pediatrics and Neurology, Central Michigan University Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit, MI, USA

    Lalitha Sivaswamy

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Torpoco Rivera, D.M., Gayanilo, M., Swati, S. (2022). Child with Syncope. In: Kamat, D.M., Sivaswamy, L. (eds) Symptom-Based Approach to Pediatric Neurology . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-10494-7_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-10494-7_12

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-10493-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-10494-7

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