From an interview with
Dr. David Steflik
McLeod Pediatric Cardiology

Syncope (pronounced “sin-ko-pea”) is the medical term for fainting, or passing out. This can occur when blood flow to the brain decreases, and there is a brief loss of consciousness. Usually, syncope isn’t a cause for concern; however, there are some extenuating circumstances that may be cause for a discussion with your child’s pediatrician. McLeod Pediatric Cardiologist Dr. David Steflik tells us more about this common condition.

“When a child loses consciousness, it can be very frightening for everyone. For most older children, fainting does not indicate a serious medical condition, but it should not be ignored. Causes can range from relative dehydration and certain medications to heart problems. If your child faints, they should see their pediatrician for clinical evaluation.

If your child has multiple episodes, they should be seen by a pediatric cardiologist. Your child may also be referred to a pediatric cardiologist if there is a family history of heart problems, if your child has chest pain during the episode, if there are no proceeding symptoms such as dizziness, or if the episode occurs during activity.

Parents are naturally concerned if a child faints, but most children who faint do not have an underlying heart problem.”

If your child faints, check to see if they hit their head and if they are breathing OK. Then:

• Allow your child to stay on the ground until fully awake. This will help the blood flow back to the brain.
• Loosen tight clothes.
• If you are worried about an injury, do not move the child.

If your child isn’t breathing normally or doesn’t seem quite right, take them immediately to the emergency room or call 911—especially if the fainting happened while your child was exercising or participating in sports.

To learn more, speak with a pediatric cardiologist near you.