Fainting in children: Syncope or Seizure

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Published: Feb 20, 2012
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31524/bkkmedj.2012.09.002
Keywords:
fainting, syncope, seizure, children, EEG, electroencephalogram, epilepsy consciousness

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Montri Saengpattrachai, MD

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to identify the etiologies and to assess the diagnostic usefulness of electroencephalogram (EEG) study in children with fainting.


MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted at the Bangkok Child Health Center, Bangkok Hospital. Fulfilled criteria enrolled pediatric population under 18 years of age with history of fainting or syncope-like attacks who had completed cardiologic and neurologic work up including chest x-ray, electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, a standard 24 hours Holter monitoring, Tilt-table testing and at least one standard EEG recording.


RESULTS: Fainting in children is predominant in girls. Seizure or epilepsy is the second most common etiology (12.5%) preceded by syncope (77.5%) either reflex syncope, orthostatic syncope or that which is cardiac in origin. Our study demonstrated a greater yield of EEG study in identifying causes of fainting than other previous studies.


CONCLUSION: Obtaining a detailed illness and witness account is of cardinal importance and very helpful in determining the etiology of fainting. Proper investigations should be tailored to individual patients. EEG recording plays a significant role in patients with historical uncertainty or those with a history strongly suggestive of seizures.

Article Details

How to Cite
1.
Saengpattrachai M. Fainting in children: Syncope or Seizure. BKK Med J [Internet]. 2012 Feb. 20 [cited 2024 Apr. 25];4(1):10. Available from: https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/bkkmedj/article/view/217955
Issue
Vol. 4 (2012): September
Section
Original Article

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licence, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

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