Department of Cardiology, Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Syncope in the pediatric patient is a common and usually benign event that frequently causes concern and anxiety. This article describes three general categories of syncope in children and adolescents: cardiac, noncardiac, and neurocardiogenic. The discussion includes specific pediatric issues and dissimilarities when compared to adult patients with syncope. In addition, a focused approach to the diagnostic evaluation of syncope in childhood is described.