Syncope in childhood

M. L. McHarg, S. Shinnar, H. Rascoff, C. A. Walsh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

54 Scopus citations

Abstract

The records of 108 children, ages 2 to 19 years (mean age 11.3 years), who were referred to the pediatric neurology and pediatric cardiology clinics for syncope, were reviewed. Sixty-six cases were identified retrospectively, and 42 prospectively. Syncope was defined as transient and complete loss of consciousness with no etiology determined at the time of presentation. The mean follow-up was 2.0 years. In 27 cases (25%), an etiology for syncope was found, including migraines in 12 cases (11%), seizures in 9 cases (8%), and cardiac arrhythmias in 6 cases (6%). All other cases were classified as vasovagal (neurocardiogenic). The past medical history, family history, clinical features of each syncopal episode, and diagnostic tests of each subject were correlated to final diagnosis. No clinical or historical features reliably distinguished children with vasovagal syncope from those with other etiologies. Children referred for the evaluation of syncope have a significant incidence of serious but treatable disorders, which should be actively sought.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)367-371
Number of pages5
JournalPediatric Cardiology
Volume18
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1997

Keywords

  • Arrhythmia
  • Migraine
  • Seizure
  • Syncope

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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