Transient loss of consciousness and syncope in children and young people: what you need to know

Abstract

The reported incidence reaches a peak in 15- to 19-year olds and is more common in females. In the population-based study, neurally mediated syncope (NMS) was by far the most frequent type of syncope (75%), cardiac disease was diagnosed in 10%, psychogenic or unexplained TLOC and syncope of unknown cause accounted for 8%, and possible epilepsy accounted for 5%. 3 In our recent series, psychogenic or unexplained TLOC was more common (17%) in hospital patients undergoing more specialist investigation and was recognised in young people with concurrent NMS. The collapse and loss of consciousness that occur during fainting or syncope are due to the abrupt cutting off of the energy substrates to the cerebral cortex. This is usually through a sudden decrease in cerebral perfusion by oxygenated blood from a reduction in cerebral blood fl ow itself, a drop in the oxygen content or a combination of these. 5 There are many variations in clinical