Journal article
Pediatric syncope in the emergency department: a risk-stratified diagnostic and disposition pathway
International journal of emergency medicine, v 19(1), 100
14 Apr 2026
PMID: 41975252
Abstract
Background Pediatric syncope accounts for 1-3% of emergency department (ED) visits. Although most cases are benign, 4% are caused by cardiac disease and 3% by seizures, which carry a risk of sudden death or neurologic injury if missed. Vasovagal syncope accounts for 52-74% of cases and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) for approximately 13%. Objective To provide an emergency-department risk-stratified diagnostic and disposition framework for pediatric syncope. Key findings A universal 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) identifies nearly all life-threatening cardiac causes of syncope. When combined with structured red-flag screening and clinical risk stratification, patients can be reliably divided into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups, allowing safe discharge of benign cases and rapid admission of dangerous ones. Conclusion A standardized ED syncope pathway based on risk tiers and ECG-first evaluation improves patient safety while reducing unnecessary admissions and testing
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Details
- Title
- Pediatric syncope in the emergency department: a risk-stratified diagnostic and disposition pathway
- Creators
- Khaled Abouelmagd - Al-Azhar UniversityMariam Mohamed Mousa - Menoufia UniversitySohaila Mohamed Mohamed Abdelbar - Cairo University hospitalsGabriela Berger - St. George's SchoolSara Nalli - St. George's SchoolAlaa Mahmoud Zawrah - Shaikh Zayed HospitalKisa Fatima - Dow University of Health SciencesMohammed Alsabri (Corresponding Author) - University of Modern Sciences
- Publication Details
- International journal of emergency medicine, v 19(1), 100
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Number of pages
- 8
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Medicine
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001740445400001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-105035702916
- Other Identifier
- 991022196572804721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Emergency Medicine