Abstract
A child who presents to the emergency department with an altered level of consciousness can be clinically unstable and can pose a great diagnostic challenge. The emergency clinician must quickly develop a wide differential of possible etiologies in order to administer potentially life-saving medications or interventions. The history, physical examination, and appropriate diagnostic tests can aid greatly in rapidly narrowing the differential diagnosis. Once initial stabilization, workup, and first-line interventions are completed, most patients who present with unresolved or unidentified altered level of consciousness should be admitted for further evaluation and close monitoring. This issue provides a review of the etiologies of altered level of consciousness as well as guidance for the management and disposition of patients with this condition.
MeSH terms
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Arrhythmias, Cardiac / complications
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Arrhythmias, Cardiac / diagnosis
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Brain Diseases / complications
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Brain Diseases / diagnosis
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Brain Injuries / complications
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Brain Injuries / diagnosis
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Carbon Monoxide Poisoning / complications
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Carbon Monoxide Poisoning / diagnosis
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Child
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Consciousness Disorders / diagnosis*
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Consciousness Disorders / etiology
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Diagnosis, Differential
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Disease Management
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Emergency Service, Hospital
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Encephalitis / complications
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Encephalitis / diagnosis
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Epilepsy / complications
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Epilepsy / diagnosis
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Evidence-Based Emergency Medicine*
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Fever / complications
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Fever / diagnosis
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Humans
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Hypoglycemia / complications
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Hypoglycemia / diagnosis
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Hypothermia / complications
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Hypothermia / diagnosis
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Hypoxia / complications
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Hypoxia / diagnosis
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Meningitis / complications
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Meningitis / diagnosis
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Pediatric Emergency Medicine*
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Poisoning / complications
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Poisoning / diagnosis
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Shock / complications
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Shock / diagnosis
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Stroke / complications
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Stroke / diagnosis
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Syncope / complications
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Syncope / diagnosis
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Water-Electrolyte Imbalance / complications
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Water-Electrolyte Imbalance / diagnosis