[Syncope in children and young adults].
BACKGROUND
15-40% of children and young adults have had at least one episode of syncope. The most frequent types are the reflex-mediated syncopes (60-70%). 5-6 % are cardiac syncopes that include several life-threatening diseases that are essential to diagnose. This article presents reasons, assessment and treatment of syncopes in children and young adults.


METHODS
PubMed has been searched for relevant literature.


RESULTS
A thorough medical history, ECG and echocardiography can reveal life-threatening cardiac causes of syncope. Reflex -mediated syncopes often have a typical history and always completely normal physical examinations and ECGs. A tilt test can be necessary and give further information. Cardiac syncope often occurs suddenly or during exercise. Reflex syncopes are treated with education, medication and sometimes insertion of a pacemaker. Treatment of cardiac syncope depends on the underlying disease and includes medication and device therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Syncopes in children and young adults are mostly benign, but diagnosis of underlying life- threatening and treatable cardiac disease is essential.
Schuster
Peter
P
Hjerteavdelingen, Haukeland Universitetssjukehus, 5021 Bergen. peter.schuster@med.uib.no
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D013575:Syncope / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D019462:Syncope, Vasovagal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy