Approach to the Child with Coma.
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Date
2010-11
Journal Title
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Volume Title
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Abstract
Coma and other states of impaired consciousness
represent a medical emergency. The potential causes are
numerous, and the critical window for diagnosis and
effective intervention is often short. The common causes
of non-traumatic coma include central nervous system
infections, metabolic encephalopathy (hepatic, uremic,
diabetic ketoacidosis etc.), intracranial bleed, stroke and
status epilepticus. The basic principles of management
include 1) Rapid assessment and stabilization, 2) Focussed
clinical evaluation to assess depth of coma, localization of
lesion in the central nervous system and possible clues to
etiology, and 3) Treatment including general and specific
measures. Commonly associated problems such as raised
intracranial pressure and seizures must be recognized and
managed to prevent secondary neurologic injury.
Description
Keywords
Altered sensorium, Encephalopathy, Impaired consciousness, Intracranial pressure
Citation
Sharma Suvasini, Kochar Gurpreet Singh, Sankhyan Naveen, Gulati Sheffali. Approach to the Child with Coma. Indian Journal of Pediatrics. 2010 Nov ; 77 (11): 1279-1287.