Approach to syncope and altered mental status

Emily C MacNeill; Sudhir Vashist

doi:10.1016/j.pcl.2013.06.013

Approach to syncope and altered mental status

Pediatr Clin North Am. 2013 Oct;60(5):1083-106. doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2013.06.013.

Authors

Emily C MacNeill¹, Sudhir Vashist

Affiliation

¹ Department of Emergency Medicine, Carolinas Medical Center, Carolinas Healthcare System, 1000 Blythe Boulevard, 3rd Floor Medical Education Building, Charlotte, NC 28203, USA. Electronic address: Emily.macneill@carolinas.org.

PMID: 24093897
DOI: 10.1016/j.pcl.2013.06.013

Abstract

Children who present with an episode of altered mental status, whether transient or persistent, present a diagnostic challenge for practitioners. This article describes some of the more common causes of altered mental status and delineates a rational approach to these patients. This will help practitioners recognize the life-threatening causes of these frightening presentations as well as help avoid unnecessary testing for the more benign causes.

Keywords: Pediatric; Persistent altered mental status; Seizure; Syncope; Transient altered mental status.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Child
Diagnosis, Differential
Humans
Mental Processes*
Syncope / diagnosis*
Syncope / etiology