During childhood, unconsciousness and fainting are often confused conditions. First of all, we need to use the definitions correctly. When evaluating the state of consciousness of a child with a neurological problem, it is necessary to take into account his age and developmental level. There are two important parts of being conscious. These; It is alertness and awareness of oneself and one's environment. In order for consciousness to be achieved, the brainstem, thalamus, hypothalamus and brain cortex (cerebral cortex) and their nuclei, as well as the nerve pathways that carry external stimuli to the brain, must be functioning. Loss of these two functions causes varying degrees of loss of consciousness. Depending on the cause, we may encounter sudden, progressive, chronic, and loss of consciousness types that cause coma and death.
Metabolic causes, infections, organ failures, poisonings, trauma, bleeding, epilepsy, tumors and psychological reasons are the main reasons. We can list them as situations that cause loss of consciousness.
Fainting in Children
When fainting is mentioned, it is a temporary loss of consciousness due to the decrease in oxygen to the brain for various reasons. If the brain remains deprived of oxygen for a long time, it may lead to seizures and coma. Fainting is more common among young adults, especially girls. Families worry about their children's lives during fainting. Sometimes, children may exploit the family's concerns by imitating fainting, and fainting may occur due to psychological reasons, even without any life-threatening problems. There is no loss of consciousness, it ends suddenly and the patient returns to his previous state very quickly. It is very important to distinguish the causes of fainting.
Immediately before fainting, blackout and dizziness may occur. Sometimes injuries can occur when falling. Unless it is a long-lasting condition, biting the tongue, hiding it under the tongue, or struggling are not usually seen. Hunger, fatigue, thirst, stress, standing for a long time, being in a crowd, heat and lack of air may be triggering and facilitating factors. In children in the age of rapid growth, blood pressure and heart rate control cannot keep up with the rapid changes in the body, and fainting resulting from the control disorder of the autonomic system is called vasovagal syncope or neurocardiogenic syncope in medical terms. In these cases, pediatric cardiology and pediatric Sometimes ECHO, ECG and EEG recordings may be required for examination by a neurologist.
Short-Term Fainting in Children
Short-term fainting in young children after feeling out of breath or crying is also called a seizure seizure. In such cases, it is harmful to lift children into the air, shake them, blow on their faces, put them in water, massage them, or try to open their mouths. Our recommendation is to turn sideways and wait in place to make the seizure last shorter.
Fainting in children, regardless of the reason, must be investigated and the necessary treatment must be carried out.
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