Syncopes chez l’enfant et l’adolescent

Syncope is a common event in childhood. Although vasovagal syncope is the most common cause of syncope in young patients, life threatening conditions may manifest as syncope and the main preoccupation of the physician who has to treat a child presenting with syncope is not to ignore a potentially lethal aetiology. Syncopes can be classified into three categories according to their mechanism: autonomic, cardiac, and non cardiac syncopes. The management begins with a good knowledge of the various aetiologies and with a detailed history and physical examination. This is particularly important in case of unexplained syncope; in such case, the identification of the disease history and the physical examination coupled with an electrocardiogram are sufficient for the diagnosis in most cases.