Syncope in children and adolescents of Hong Kong.
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.
Wong
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Department of Paediatrics, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Chai Wan, Hong Kong. wong053@hotmail.com
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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*