title: Syncope in children and adolescents of Hong Kong.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Syncope occurs commonly in children and adolescents. The objectives of the present study were to quantify this occurrence locally and to examine the profiles of subjects experiencing syncope.
  
  
  METHODS
  A self-administered questionnaire was filled out by students between 6 and 17 years of age from a selected school in January 1999.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 2574 completed questionnaires, a total of 121 subjects reported having had at least one previous episode of syncope, including 9.0% of the 15-17 years age group. The overall incidence of a first syncope in the preceding 12 months was 1.7% and was highest (3.3%) in the 15-17 years age group. No significant difference in incidence was noted between sexes. Among those who experienced syncope, 32.2% had sought medical advice and 9.1% had been admitted to hospital; 57.9% became worried, while 37.2% reported restriction of daily activities because of syncope.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Syncope is a common event in children and adolescents in Hong Kong. It can cause a considerable degree of anxiety and activity restriction. The impact on medical services due to syncope in Hong Kong has been substantial.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Chai Wan, Hong Kong. wong053@hotmail.com
authors.forename: K T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: L Y
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: So
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013575:Syncope / Q000453:epidemiology*