The minimally conscious state in children.
The minimally conscious state (MCS) is a condition of severely altered consciousness in which minimal but definite behavioral evidence of self- or environmental awareness is shown. Diagnostic criteria recently have been proposed for entry into and emergence from the MCS. We present clinical and neuroimaging data on 5 children diagnosed with MCS and discuss the limited information available concerning its epidemiology, etiology, pathology, and prognosis. Issues related to the evaluation and care of children suspected of having MCS are also reviewed as well as current ethical and legal controversies.
Ashwal
Stephen
S
Department of Pediatrics, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, CA 92350, USA.
Cranford
Ronald
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000592:Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D001364:Awareness / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000473:pathology; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D020208:Brain Injury, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003128:Coma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D003244:Consciousness Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D020833:Diffuse Axonal Injury / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006816:Huntington Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D002534:Hypoxia, Brain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011422:Propionates / Q000097:blood
D011422:Propionates; C029658:propionic acid