Fainting in pediatric patients By: Caitlin Krause

Fainting in pediatric patients:

”Fainting (syncope) is a sudden, brief loss of consciousness during which the person falls to the ground or slumps in a chair followed by a return to consciousness. The person is motionless and limp and usually has cool legs and arms, a weak pulse, and shallow bl'eathing.” (Merck Manual, 2020)

Children may faint for many different reasons: when they see blood, if they are in pain, from holding their

breath, coughing, straining, or when they are experiencing strong emotions. Sometimes children can faint when

they stand up too quickly. When this happens, blood flow to the brain is reduced and causes fainting.

Before fainting, many children experience a group of symptoms: sweating, suddenly warm, nausea, dizziness,

and become very pale. During a fainting spell, some children may twitch their arms and legs which may look like

a seizure.

This is called a vasovagal syncopal episode. It is usually not serious, and most children grow out of this. Children

will usually wake up with in a minute.

Here’s how you can help your child when they faint:

• Protect your child from getting injured when they fall. Ease them to the ground, or lay a small child in your lap.
• If your child is vomiting, turn them on their side so they do not choke.
• Make sure your child is breathing by putting your ear close to their mouth and listen for breath sounds.
• If they are not breathing, call 911 immediately and follow the dispatchers directions.
• Prop you child’s legs up so that their legs are high than their chest while they are lying down. You can use a chair to help hold their legs up. This will help force blood from their legs back to their heart.
• When your child wakes up, have them lay down for 10-15 mins. Place a cool cloth on their head. Check your child for any injuries from falling.

It is important to teach your child warning signs that they are about to faint. Teach them to lay down when they

feel they are going to faint and call out for help.

When to call 911:

• You are not able to quickly wake up your child after he or she faints.
• Your child has blurred vision, numbness or tingling in any part of the body, or trouble walking or talking.
• You child is confused after they awaken.
• They are not breathing

References:

Merck Manuals. (2020) ”Fainting”

Healthwise, Incorporated. (2017). Fainting in children: care instructions

UptoDate. (2019). Causes of syncope in children and adolescents.